by Nissa Leder
“I…” Scarlett started. Raith couldn’t be sure, but she seemed uncomfortable. Like Kaelem had caught her.
“Looking gorgeous as ever, darling.” Kaelem turned to Raith. “You’ve seen better days.”
Raith hadn’t missed the Unseelie King. “Haven’t you heard of knocking?”
“Heard of it, yes, but generally I save my knocking for closed doors. Yours, however, was wide open.”
Scarlett pulled her hand away as a trickle of lust swirled through her aura. Then her aura vanished.
Had something more happened between them when Raith was gone? He couldn’t blame Scarlett if it had. It might not have been his choice, but he was spending almost every night with Decuma.
“Hate to interrupt,” Kaelem started. “Well, actually, I don’t care too much, but I have some important details to share with you, Queen Scarlett.”
Scarlett stood from the bed and glanced at Raith. “I’ll come back to see you later.”
“Of course.” He grabbed Scarlett’s hand and pulled her to him.
He pressed his lips into hers for a quick peck.
Scarlett stepped back, wide-eyed, a slight blush spreading across her cheeks. “See you soon.” A tremor of guilt replaced the lust he’d sensed in her aura moments before.
Raith glared at Kaelem who simply winked at him before leaving with Scarlett.
Chapter Six
Scarlett walked side-by-side with Kaelem as they made their way to her room. She didn’t know if locking herself in her bedroom with him sent a good message—or if it was even a good idea—but she didn’t want anyone else overhearing.
“The information is classified,” Kaelem said. “Which is a word I learned from one of my favorite mortal soap operas. One of the characters was accused of murder when the local policeman carried a folder with CLASSIFIED written on it and conveniently misplaced it for the character to find. It revealed they had no proof to convict him. Then, in the next episode, we learned the lady wasn’t even dead. She’d faked it!”
“Sounds soap opera worthy to me.”
“But wait, there’s more,” Kaelem said. “When he went to search for some evidence to prove she actually hadn’t even died, she killed him. The things mortals come up with!”
Scarlett chuckled. Maybe that was what she needed. To go on a soap opera binge and forget everything weighing her down.
They entered her room and, once they were inside, she shut the door with her magic.
“Look at you, desperate to be alone with me.” Kaelem grinned and pretended to unbutton his shirt. “I’m even wearing less clothing than normal.”
Scarlett rolled her eyes. “Please. Now seriously, what have you learned?”
Kaelem pretended to be offended then said. “There’s a weapon that can kill a Sidhe ruler.”
“Kill? Ankou said we couldn’t be killed.”
“Well, he either doesn’t know about this weapon or didn’t want you to know about it. I had an old friend do some digging, and there’s a dagger made especially to completely kill a Sidhe ruler. Which is good for when we want to kill Ankou, but not so good because someone could use it against you.”
In some weird way, his news brought relief to Scarlett. It was much scarier to think she could never die. Maybe some people wanted eternal life, but she saw its dark side, too. “Do we know where it is?”
“Not exactly, but we have a lead on who might,” Kaelem said. “Which is also like the soap opera I watch. One of the characters—”
Scarlett cut in, “I don’t care about your soap opera unless it tells me how to kill some ancient, evil king and save my people.”
“The soap opera, no, but there are plenty of mortal movies about that very thing.”
Scarlett laughed, thinking back to all of her favorite movies. She’d always been drawn to fantasy. She thought it was because it was the best escape from the frustrations of her mother’s illness. Maybe it was because she had magic in her all along.
“Okay, well, how do we find the person who might?”
Kaelem unfolded a piece of paper from his pocket. “This is an address to a man who revealed the existence of the weapon. He’s Sidhe…”
“Like me?”
“Yes, darling.”
“But how?”
“Apparently, he escaped back when the former Sidhe Queen turned herself mortal and has been living with the mortals ever since. I learned that a lot of fae now reside away from the courts and with the humans.”
“What do you mean?”
“According to my friend, a lot of fae are tired of the court life. They don’t want to be ruled and confined. They prefer to be out, intermingling with the humans. The best way to fuel our magic is emotion, and mortal emotion is the strongest.”
Fae were mixing in with the mortal world more than just their hidden courts? But humans stood no chance. She remembered the feeling of Cade numbing her. How far away it made her feel. So far removed from any of her problems. Add in the fact that most fae were beautiful and had magic, and it was the perfect recipe for disaster.
She thought of Natalie and Teddy and her other friends. What if some greedy fae tried to use them for its own pleasure. Anger rose in her stomach and spread. Her vision flickered. The sound of breaking glass pulled her back.
She glanced to her dresser. The vase had exploded and the flowers and water inside had gone everywhere.
Kaelem put his hand on her shoulder. “Scarlett. You need to focus. You cannot let your anger control you.” He pointed to her arms.
Her tattoos shimmered. Their black color had turned metallic. It was as if her anger was feeding the dark magic inside her. How was she supposed to be the light queen with darkness threatening to consume her? “I don’t know what to do. We need to find that weapon. If I can focus on that, maybe I can keep it together for more than a minute at a time.”
Kaelem’s hand moved from her shoulder to the back of her head and he pulled her face to his. His mouth found hers, and as their lips touched, any anger she felt dissolved and was replaced with pure lust.
Her arms found his back and she held him tightly as his fingers ran through her hair.
She tensed. Why had he just done that? She pulled away. “Don’t we have bigger things to worry about?”
Kaelem grinned. “Yes, but this is so much more fun, don’t you think? And I wanted to show you that distracting yourself from the anger will help. I didn’t sense any rage coming from you while we kissed. I am sensing a little now, though.”
First, Raith. Now, Kaelem. God, fae men were even more competitive than human ones.
“I’m going to find the man who can tell me where the dagger is.” Scarlett headed toward the door.
“Without this?” Kaelem held up the note as he walked toward her.
Scarlett reached for it but he lifted it above her head. “Really?”
“You cannot go alone, darling. So, I’m coming with you.”
Scarlett groaned, but he was right. Having him with her was the smarter decision. “Just us?”
Kaelem nodded. “You know how much I like being alone with you, but it’s more than that. My friend said the man was loyal to Dana. I think he’ll need to meet you for us to have any chance of him revealing the location. He’s in the mortal world, so your companion should be well acquainted with mortal customs. And I,” he pointed to himself with his thumbs, “happen to watch a lot of mortal TV. Plus, I look good in an Armani suit. I once considered trying out to be one of their models, but Lola talked me out of it.”
She wanted to disagree. Surely, someone else could go with her. How was she supposed to focus with him so close all of the time? She’d wanted to think sleeping together hadn’t had a big effect on her, but she knew it was a lie. It wasn’t only lust she felt for him, but she wasn’t ready to face whatever else had developed. “Fine.”
“Perfect. Then we should go.”
“I need to tell at least Vida. I can’t disappear again like last time. It wasn’t
fair then and it’s definitely not fair now.”
“Then I’ll wait here for you. Your bed looks nice and comfy.”
“No, I’ll meet you at the Unseelie Court. We need to get to the mortal world and there isn’t a direct portal there from here anyway.”
That, and she wanted some time to gather herself. Kaelem’s kiss left her buzzing inside.
He eyed the bed again. “Very well. I’ll have to try out your bed another time.”
Scarlett waited in her throne room.
She’d sent a note to Vida, who replied she’d be there as soon as she could.
Scarlett wasn’t sure exactly what she should say. Should she tell Vida the truth? Or should she be somewhat vague? Vida had been there for her since she’d gained the Life Tree’s power. Scarlett had no reason not to trust her. But Kaelem was right; this was classified information.
Scarlett laughed. She never had a dull day when she was with the Unseelie King. Sometimes his persistence and cockiness wore on her, but she couldn’t deny she’d grown to like him as a person. He was loyal to his court and a good king. She could never forget what he’d done to her sister, but she didn’t hold the anger she once had. She would do the same to save Ashleigh as he’d done to save Aria. Were selfish decisions made in the name of saving someone you love totally selfish?
The throne room door opened and Vida walked inside. “Should I shut the door?”
“Please,” Scarlett said. Once Vida was closer, she continued, “I’ve been told of a weapon that can kill a Sidhe ruler. It could be our best chance of truly defeating Ankou once and for all. But first, I have to find it.”
“I’ve heard rumors there may be a weapon with that power, but I’ve never heard anything concrete. How do you know what you’ve heard is true and not a trap?”
“I…” Scarlett hadn’t thought about it like that. God. She really needed to learn the risks that came as queen. “I can’t be sure it isn’t a trap. But it’s our first real chance. Sneaking in and getting caught taught me how strong he is. And now he can show up at any time. Sitting here and waiting for him to attack can’t be the only option.”
Vida grimaced as she took in Scarlett’s words. “Very well. When do we leave?”
“I need you to stay, Vida. You can keep things running smoothly while I’m gone. I can’t be worried about the people here if I want to find the weapon quickly and return.”
“I know you’re strong, my queen, but going alone is dangerous.” Vida’s aura filled with worry.
“The Unseelie King will be accompanying me. He’s the one who found out about the weapon.” Scarlett felt her cheeks redden. Did others sense her feelings for him?
Vida raised an eyebrow and smirked. “I know you’re fond of him, but are you sure he can be trusted?”
God, she did know.
“I don’t know I can ever trust anyone completely, but he’s been loyal so far and we share the same goal. We both want to see the Fates defeated.”
“If what you say is true, the weapon will work against you, too. Anyone who knows about it will know how to kill you.”
Scarlett nodded. “I know. Which is why I want to keep this between us.”
“Of course.” She dipped her chin.
Scarlett pulled her into a hug. At first, Vida’s body tensed, but after a moment, she relaxed and hugged back.
“Thank you for still believing in me as your queen even if I royally messed up,” Scarlett said as she pulled away.
“Dana was my best friend,” Vida said. “And I would have followed her anywhere. I would have died for her without hesitation. She believed her ancestor would make a worthy ruler, and even all of these years later, I trust her.”
“I will do everything I can to stop him.” She wasn’t sure it would be enough, but she would try.
After Scarlett had her meeting with Vida, she found Ashleigh in her room, sewing.
“You have to go?” Ashleigh asked.
“I do. And I need you to promise me you’ll stay here and try to keep safe,” she said.
“I will, but promise me you’ll come back soon.”
“I will.” It was a promise Scarlett might not be able to keep. She was searching for a weapon that had the capability to kill her. But she would do her best to return to her sister and her people. And to do what needed to be done to defeat Ankou and the Fates and make them pay for everything they’d done.
There was just one more person she needed to say goodbye to before she headed to the Unseelie Court.
When she approached Raith’s door, it was open. She hesitated before entering. “Knock, knock.”
She didn’t see him. Maybe he’d gone for a walk or was visiting the healing ward. As she was about to leave and search for him elsewhere, he exited the bathroom.
His lower half was wrapped in a towel, leaving his torso exposed. Scarlett hadn’t seen the wound in a few days. She had assumed it had been healing, but seeing it now, she realized it hadn’t healed much at all.
“It isn’t getting better,” she said as she walked toward him.
“Oh, that.” Raith glanced to the wound. “It’s nothing.”
Scarlett reached out and gently ran her hand over it. Raith winced.
“Nothing, huh?” Scarlett pulled her eyes from the wound and instead looked to Raith’s face.
The fae didn’t age like humans, but somehow Raith looked older now. His blue eyes held a sorrow that wasn’t there before.
Scarlett shut his bedroom door. “Kaelem found a lead on a weapon. One that has the ability to kill Ankou.”
Curiosity filled Raith’s aura. “But I thought neither he nor you could die?”
“Apparently, there is a weapon with the magic needed to kill us.”
Raith tightened the towel around his waist. His chin-length hair was still dripping. “You’re searching for a weapon that can kill you? That doesn’t sound smart.”
“It’s our best chance to defeat Ankou. You saw me down there against him. I’ve been queen for as long as…well, about the equivalent to one breath to him. If I can’t kill him, I have to somehow trap him, and I’m not strong enough.”
“But you think finding a weapon that can kill either of you is the answer? If you aren’t strong enough to trap him, what makes you think you’ll be able to use the weapon on him before he uses it on you?” The curiosity in his aura faded to worry.
“I’m not.” Scarlett shrugged. “We don’t have to use the weapon right away. If we can at least find it, we’ll be one step closer. Then if we need to, we can hide it ourselves until I’m ready. Better if it’s in our hands than his.”
“I’m coming with you.” Raith headed to the dresser and pulled out a pair of pants.
“You can’t. You need to heal.”
Raith turned to Scarlett. “So you’re going to trust Kaelem? When has he ever had the best interest of anyone but himself in mind?”
Scarlett started to reply but her words caught in her throat. Raith was right. Kaelem had shown his ability to veer off of a plan when he came up with an idea he thought better suited him. He’d trapped Ashleigh in a mirror to blackmail Scarlett. But he hadn’t done it for himself, not really. And things were different now. Scarlett didn’t want to confess her feelings of her time with Kaelem to Raith, but somehow, she trusted him now.
“You’re falling for him, aren’t you?” There was no vitriol in Raith’s voice, only sadness. “Should have known. Everything seems to go right for that asshole.”
“I…” Scarlett wasn’t sure what to say. “I care for him, yes. And I believe he cares for me. We aren’t two lovebirds waiting to fly off into the sunset. We have people we care about. People we want to protect. We have a mutual enemy. One who’s taken so much from me.” Tears rolled down Scarlett’s cheeks, but she fought through them to finish her words. “I want my life to be a fairytale where I can fall in love with a prince and live happily ever after, but that isn’t going to happen for me, not until Ankou is dead and I have my
revenge on the Fates. I care for you too, Raith. But I’m not that fragile human you met at the Summer Court. People are counting on me, and I’ll do whatever it takes to protect them.”
Scarlett wiped the tears from her cheeks. Crying was silly. What good were tears? They showed nothing but weakness and she couldn’t afford to be weak now.
Raith sighed.
“Be safe, please,” he said. “You aren’t the same girl I met at the Summer Court. You’ve grown into a strong woman, a leader. I might not think you should trust Kaelem, but I trust you.” He smiled half-heartedly, which somehow hit Scarlet harder than the sigh had.
“I’ll be back soon.” She reached up onto her tiptoes and kissed his forehead before turning and leaving the room without another word.
Chapter Seven
Sage had been welcomed into the camp by the queen despite Tamara’s objection. It had always made Sage happy to see Tamara’s face when she didn’t get her way. Vienna might have been the Woodland Queen, but Tamara was the queen of pouting.
The shock of Sage’s arrival had caused a stir throughout camp. Tamara was ready to hang her, but Queen Vienna told everyone to treat her like they always had. For most, that meant as a sister. But Vienna and Sage’s relationship had evolved during her time with the tribe; they’d fallen in love.
Seeing her again brought both happiness and sorrow. Sage had never fallen out of love with Vienna. In fact, she’d loved her enough to let her go. Doing so meant sneaking out in the middle of the night with no goodbye. It was both the most selfish and selfless thing she’d ever done, and she’d never expected to return.
But even so, here she was.
Sage followed Jade to Vienna’s tent. She was to wait while the queen calmed the tribe down.
The tent had changed since the last time she’d been there. A new blanket lay over the bed, brighter than the last one. Hung around one of the bedposts was a crown woven from twigs and circled in a pastel colored thread. Sage had made it as a gift for Vienna. She’d worried the queen would have tossed it out after she had left. What did it mean that she’d kept it?