Which was not at all.
Rebsha appeared seemingly out of nowhere, issuing a deep bow to Deandra and a nod toward Carrick before addressing the princess directly. “I assume you’re looking for your mother?”
“We are indeed,” she replied formally.
Rebsha took in Deandra’s outfit. It was a far cry from the highly sexualized and body-baring outfits she wore when in residence. Today, she was casually Earth-realm attired in skinny jeans, ballet flats, and fitted turtleneck sweater, but they were all high-end designer brands. Her makeup wasn’t garish as was the style of the fae, but perfectly applied to enhance her already incredible beauty.
“She’s in the solarium,” Rebsha advised, nodding in that general direction. “Would you like any refreshments sent in?”
“No,” Deandra replied but surprised Carrick by saying, “I would appreciate it if you were in attendance while we speak. Is my father there as well?”
“He is,” Rebsha replied in that deep, rumbling voice. “And of course, I’ll join you.”
Deandra led the way to the solarium, which was on the eastern edge of the castle. It was a massive wrought iron and glass addition filled with plants, marble pathways, and groupings of furniture upon which to sit and relax. The air was slightly humid.
The Light Fae—given they had no war, wrecked economy, or disgruntled citizens—didn’t do much but relax, have parties, and eat good food.
Well, they did have disgruntled citizens, but they were of the lower caste and too weak to mount any type of rebellion against the royals and nobles.
Rebsha entered the solarium, then led Deandra and Carrick along a winding path to where they found Nimeyah and Callidan occupying matching chaises. Callidan’s hands were clasped over his stomach, and his eyes were closed. Nimeyah was reading a book, and she slowly raised her head as the group approached.
Her eyes flicked over Rebsha and Carrick, landing on Deandra. Her lips pursed with disapproval, and that was Carrick’s first indication that Nimeyah was harboring some bitter feelings toward her daughter for leaving Faere.
“She returns,” Nimeyah murmured, but there was a snide undertone.
“On an important and grave matter,” Deandra clipped out, clasping her hands before her body.
Nimeyah studied her daughter before turning her attention to Carrick. “And you’re here for the same matter?”
“I am,” Carrick replied and then nodded toward her husband. “Callidan should hear this, too.”
Nimeyah did nothing more than throw a backhand at her husband, hitting him on the shoulder. It didn’t shock him out of sleep as he merely opened his eyes and took in the people standing before him. He said nothing, instead waiting for his wife to explain their presence.
“Your daughter and Carrick are here on a grave matter,” she said to her husband, but kept her eyes on Deandra.
Callidan didn’t look overly interested, but he did scoot up a bit on the chaise and focused on the princess.
Carrick and Deandra had decided before coming that the plea for help would come from Deandra, and Carrick would be there to bolster her story and affirm the danger they were in. As such, he let Deandra take the lead.
“Mother…. Father.” Deandra took a step forward, then moved her hands behind her back where she clasped them. With her legs slightly apart, she struck a warrior’s pose. While it was incongruous with her outfit, it was her bearing that foretold she meant serious business here. “Kymaris has succeeded in gathering everything she needs to perform the ritual to take down the veil between the Underworld and Earth realm. She has the Blood Stone and her powers with it are beyond description, rivaling the demi-gods. While Finley Porter is the human designated to thwart the prophecy, she cannot do it on her own. Carrick and I are garnering forces to help Finley take down Kymaris and keep the veil in place. We are here to plead for the Light Fae to join our army.”
Nimeyah’s head swung her husband’s way, and they exchanged a long look but said nothing. Looking back toward her daughter, she replied, “We don’t get involved in the affairs of humans.”
“This concerns the Light Fae, too,” Carrick interjected. “Because you know if Kymaris conquers Earth, she’s coming after you and Faere. With the Blood Stone, she’ll shred the veil and lay your lands to waste.”
Something flickered in Nimeyah’s eyes—perhaps alarm—but she kept her jaw locked tight and her chin lifted. “We’ll take our chances. I still have tremendous stone magic of my own.”
Deandra snorts as she advances on her mother. “Do you know that it was your stone magic that allowed this to happen?”
Nimeyah jerked backward, her chin tucking inward. “How dare you?”
“Your son stole your staff with your stone, and he used it to rip open a tiny spot in our veil between Faere and the Underworld. There, he joined forces with Kymaris and funneled Light Fae magic into a human vessel that later propelled Kymaris into the Earth realm with strong powers. He’s colluding with her, and he knows she’ll come for Faere. Your own son has betrayed you, the throne, and your land. If you won’t help for any other reason, you should help to make things right.”
Carrick knew as soon as they were said that the words were wasted. Nimeyah may not be happy with her son’s treachery, but her lazy and unambitious rule wasn’t going to change.
Nimeyah made a circling motion with her wrist. From thin air, her staff appeared. Carrick had never seen it before, and it was a thing of simple beauty. Approximately five feet in height and made of solid gold, it had a round disk at the top that had a hollowed-out center. Within that space, a black meteor stone was held in place by delicate strands of gold filigree that wove all around the stone and attached to the disk.
Nimeyah swung her legs gracefully from her chaise, then stood with the staff at her side. Her husband followed suit, but his actions seemed robotic. Standing only because his wife did.
She gripped the staff tight. “I have all the power Faere needs right here. Kymaris will never make it through the protections I can place.”
“But what if she does?” Carrick asked softly. “You’re willing to risk your realm and all its inhabitants? You’re ready to risk the bulk of the Light Fae race?”
“I don’t see it as a risk,” Nimeyah replied dismissively. “Besides, I think Kymaris will be happy enough in the Earth realm that she won’t feel the need to come seek me out.”
“You’re a fool,” Deandra hissed at her mother. Nimeyah’s face flushed red, and her eyes glimmered with fury. But Deandra dismissed her, most likely knowing she was a lost cause, and turned to her father. “I’m curious what you think about this.”
Callidan flushed to be put in the spotlight. Carrick rarely saw the man talk unless it was to add something charming to something his wife already said. He was, for all intents and purposes, a trophy husband.
“I stand by your mother,” he finally stammered to Deandra.
“She’s the fool, and you’re a coward,” Deandra hissed, and Carrick felt a flush of pride go through him. Her gaze moved back to her mother, and she narrowed her eyes. “Or maybe it’s the other way around. You’re the coward, and Father is the fool.”
Her words were too provoking and an enraged Nimeyah picked up her staff and leveled it at her daughter. Carrick didn’t know exactly what her intent was, but he wouldn’t put it past Nimeyah to kill her own offspring because of a slight to her ego.
There wasn’t any waiting to find out. Carrick deftly stepped in front of Deandra, prepared to take whatever magic came out of the stone, but the minute he did so, Nimeyah lifted the staff.
She wasn’t a fool. She couldn’t destroy Carrick, and her attempt to do so would bring swift retribution from the demi-god.
Instead, she lasered her eyes on Deandra, who moved slightly to the side so she could see past Carrick’s wide shoulders. “You are banned from Faere, Deandra. Leave at once and don’t return.”
“Gladly,” Deandra snapped as she pivoted sharply on her f
oot to leave the solarium.
Carrick only took a moment more before following the princess. “You’re making a mistake, Nimeyah. You’ve spent eons in safety, and it’s made you soft. Your ego has grown, but your wisdom has not. I hope you think on this some and come to your senses.”
“You’re no longer welcome here either,” she snarled at Carrick, although there was no keeping the demi-god out if he wanted in.
Issuing a curt nod, Carrick turned and followed in Deandra’s wake. Rebsha bowed, backed away a few paces, and turned to follow Carrick.
Outside the solarium, Deandra was pacing with her hands clenched in fury. When she spotted Carrick, she pointed a shaky finger past him to where her mother was probably reclining back on her chaise and reading her book.
“She’s an idiot,” Deandra stammered, her words broken by her rage.
“Yes, she is,” Carrick agreed as he moved toward her. He put a hand on her shoulder and squeezed. Immediately, Deandra should have felt a calming sensation, her pulse starting to slow minutely. “You did all you could, and I’m proud of you for standing up to her.”
Deandra shook her head. “We really need the Light Fae to join us. We need their power against whatever is going to come pouring out of the Underworld.”
“You have me,” Carrick heard a familiar baritone voice behind him. He turned to see Rebsha approaching. When he stopped, he affirmed, “I’ll join the fight, and I know others that will.”
Deandra stared in shock at her mother’s longtime advisor, whose loyalty had seemed absolute. But whereas Nimeyah didn’t seem to mature over their history, Rebsha had, and in his wisdom, he knew what the right play was.
“Thank you,” Deandra said, her voice breathless with astonishment.
“I’ll also get others to join,” he murmured, glancing over his shoulder toward the solarium. “But it will have to be done very carefully.”
Carrick reached his hand out to Rebsha. “We’re honored to have you with us.”
They clasped at the forearm, and the Light Fae replied, “I’ll keep you updated.”
After they drew apart, Rebsha gave a bow to Deandra, to which she responded with a grateful smile, and then he disappeared down the hallway.
When he was out of sight, Deandra let out a low growl, indicating she was still irked at her mother. “I still can’t believe she just dismissed the threat of Kymaris coming to Faere. I mean, I totally get her not wanting to help humans and the Earth realm, but she’s feeding our race to the wolves. How can she not get that our stand has to be made next week at the ritual and we have to defeat Kymaris there?”
“Your mother is self-centered,” Carrick noted as he and Deandra started moving through the castle. They had no destination in mind, but Deandra was bristling with anger and seemed to need to walk it off.
“Don’t I know it,” she muttered.
Carrick almost laughed, because it wasn’t all that long ago that he would have said the same thing about Deandra. But she had changed much over this last month now that she’d moved out from under her mother’s influence.
“It pleases me that you’ve taken this threat so seriously,” Carrick commented. “A bit surprising, actually.”
Deandra snorted, casting him a side glance. “I’ve got layers, Carrick.”
“Indeed you do.” He chuckled. “Finley tells me the same thing all the time.”
Abruptly stopping in the middle of the hallway, Deandra whirled on him. “And do you know, as much as I’m pissed at my parents right now, I’m a million times more furious with Pyke. I can’t believe he’d threaten the sanctity of Faere for Kymaris. He’s a complete traitor to our family and our entire race.”
Carrick did not disagree with this, and he knew there was going to be a reckoning for Pyke one day. Tipping his head in curiosity, he asked, “I thought you were using the safety of Faere as a mere excuse to provoke your mother to help, but I hear it in your voice… you’re genuinely worried about this land and the Light Fae who live here.”
“It’s my home, Carrick,” she said in a mournful voice. “I might have moved away, but I assumed Faere would always be there for me. There are people here I care for deeply. I don’t want them at risk, and I can’t believe that dipshit brother of mine would betray us like that.”
“You know,” Carrick drawled, as if to posit a theory. “Pyke could be under Kymaris’ control.”
Deandra shook her head vehemently. “No. Finley said he loved her. Their relationship has been going on for decades.”
Carrick believed the same, but he was merely trying to offer something that might provide some peace to her right now and alleviate the fury bubbling because of her brother. Maybe it was good she held onto it, so she’d stay committed to their cause.
And speaking of causes, they still had more recruiting to do. Carrick asked Deandra, “Want to go to Brevala with me to see if they’ll join us? It would do well to have the Light Fae princess joining my request.”
Deandra’s eyebrows lifted high as she turned and started walking down the hallway again. “Brevala? The Meadowlanders and Bluff Dwellers are at war with each other. They certainly wouldn’t join forces to fight by our sides.”
“You’d be wrong about that,” Carrick said with a chuckle. “Geseph and Arnus ended their feud.”
“What?” Deandra exclaimed, giving him a quick glance. “That feud was an eternity long. How did it end?”
“Just a little love story between a Meadowlander named Eliana and a Bluff Dweller named Ronan,” Carrick replied, and Deandra snorted. She didn’t believe in love.
If she had, Carrick might have told her the full story, but, as it were, he merely reiterated his invitation. “Come to Brevala with me?”
“Yes, of course,” she replied without hesitation.
Because she knew what Carrick knew… that without Nimeyah’s help, along with the Light Fae, they were at a serious disadvantage if the veil were to open. The Brevalians were all winged, elite warriors. They could help bridge the gap, and maybe it wouldn’t be a total slaughter.
CHAPTER 24
Finley
It’s a cold, rainy day, and I’m holed up inside the condo with some of those who mean the most to me. My closest and forever friends, Rainey and Myles, who returned from their Fijian honeymoon five days ago; Zora, my identical twin sister, who I have spent nearly every waking moment with as we continue to learn about each other and tighten our bond; and Maddox, who I’ve decided is my forever brother-in-law since I’ve certainly come to love him like family.
Carrick is here in the condo, but he’s working in his office. He still has an empire to maintain, although that might be moot after the ritual.
Zaid and Boral are off on an errand together, which isn’t just unusual that the estranged father and son are hanging out together, but they’re off buying a cache of illegal semi-automatic weapons. Many of those recruited to fight on our side are daemons without any powers. While bullets won’t kill Dark Fae, it will slow them down. More importantly, bullets will shred any demons that come through the veil if it opens. It’s one of our more mainstream human ideas we have to help protect us from the swarm that might come through.
Carrick had the free-standing fireplace in the living area fixed a few weeks ago, which had been obliterated when he’d thrown Boral through it back in August. Maddox turned it on and while it doesn’t give off a lot of heat, it provides a cheery ambiance.
The five of us are lounging in the center grouping of furniture right in front of the fireplace. It’s something we’ve done a lot of the last few days—hanging out together, that is—and Zora seems to be acclimating more seamlessly into my life. Rainey has even forged a light friendship with her, and that’s all due to Rainey’s sparkling personality and refusal to let Zora shrink away from her.
Because he’s efficient that way, Zaid laid out a nice charcuterie board for us to snack on while he went off to buy guns on the black market. The girls are sipping on a robust red that I�
�d snagged from Carrick’s wine collection, and Myles and Maddox are drinking local craft beer.
We are taking the concept of chilling out very seriously, because there is actually nothing else we can do until the ritual. Carrick has recruited as many forces as he can. He has commitments from several Light Fae—although not as many as he’d like. This includes a contingent of Brevalian warriors, and I’m incredibly eager to meet these winged fae. Carrick has also pulled in a large number of daemons—both light and dark—who are committed to keeping the Earth realm exactly the way it is. Those are the ones who will be bearing firearms to help in the fight. There are even some Dark Fae who have chosen not to go to Kymaris’ side because—like Boral—they like living out from under Kymaris’ rule. Now, whether they’ll actually show up to fight is another matter.
With most of the recruitment complete, we turned to battle strategy and have spent many hours in the library laying out our plans. Maddox scouted the area where Blain said the ritual would take place and found the clearing as described. We didn’t know the exact time the ritual would take place on October 8th—which was just three days away—but we were prepared to be set up well ahead of time and ready to fight.
Blain is safe and currently holed up in a ski chalet in Wyoming. Carrick pulled strings and favors and paid a lot of money, but Blain went on a private jet with a nurse and a psychologist who will stay with him until this is all over. The outcome will determine how he’ll return to society, but that’s not a worry for us now.
And the only other thing of interest—but I’ve kept my nose out of it—is that Zora and Maddox are still apparently knocking boots. I’ve caught him coming out of her room more than one morning, looking mightily pleased with himself.
It’s truly a no-strings type of thing because while I don’t know what happens in that bedroom between them, I know out of it they act as no more than casual friends. Half the time, they barely acknowledge each other.
It’s really kind of weird, to be honest, but if it works for Zora and she’s happy, that’s all that matters. She told me the other day while we were eating breakfast together that Maddox is a master at multiple orgasms, so I assume she’s happy. Carrick is a master as well, and I know it makes me happy.
The Rise of Fortune and Fury Page 24