Gareth’s scent overwhelmed me as I closed the door behind me. I inhaled deeply, half expecting to see him come in from the balcony or pop up from behind the four-poster bed. But he didn’t. I envisioned his heart-melting smile and his touch, and the way he’d hold me like I was the most precious treasure in the world. Instead, I stared at his pale, weakened form.
Everything I looked at reminded me of him. The swords. The large mahogany furniture, which matched the color of his eyes. The way the sunlight spilled in the glass doors, like the light that he’d been in my world. My chest tightened, and I sat on the edge of his bed, laying my head just above where his heart was. I listened to the faint beat.
I couldn’t breathe without him. I fisted the quilt and took in his familiar outdoorsy smell, and then I lay back, trying to keep from crying. What I wouldn’t give to feel his arms around me.
“I need you,” I whispered. “So much. You can’t leave me. I-I might be able to heal you, but if I do and you wake up, things will be different. I wish you could tell me I’m making the right choice. That you’d rather live a life without me than die.”
“Salome?” Gwenn poked her head in the door. When she saw me crying, she just stood there. “You should go back to your chambers now. I think they’re just taking in a ceremonial gown for you.”
I nodded then stood, not saying a word as we went back to my room.
When she made sure my quarters were safe she turned to me, her gaze softened. “I’m sorry for what I said earlier. And I’m sorry my brother got hurt.” With that, she left me once more.
Nervous flutters tingled in my gut. I took a deep breath in an attempt to calm myself.
Just breathe. You’ll be fine. I’m sure no one’s ever died during a coronation.
I smoothed the light blue skirt of my dress down with my clammy hands. The gold roses embroidered in the material seemed to gleam beneath the soft glow of candlelight. What if I fell down the stairs when I was introduced? Or what if I barfed? Yeah, that would not be pretty.
“Salome?” Nevin stuck his head in my room.
“Yeah?” I glanced at him. He was more dressed up than usual. His light blue tunic matched the color of my dress, and he’d tucked the legs of his white breeches into his brown, leather boots. A gold and sapphire crown rested upon his head.
His sky colored eyes met mine. “You look beautiful.” He stepped inside, securing the door behind him.
“Thanks. I’m nervous as hell though.”
“That’s to be expected.” He chuckled, then pulled a decorative wooden box from behind his back. “I wanted to give you this. A gift from the king to his queen.”
With trembling hands, I took the box from him and unlatched the clasp. I gasped. Inside I found a sparkling sapphire necklace, along with a matching ring.
“Oh my gosh, it’s gorgeous.”
He smiled. “Why don’t you turn around and I’ll help you put it on?”
I spun to face the wall, then lifted my hair as he secured it to me. The stones were surprisingly warm against my skin. With the necklace in place, he walked around until he stood in front of me. This time, he took the ring and slid it on my left ring finger. He set the box on a nearby table, then stared at me.
“I hope I don’t embarrass you or myself in front of all those people.” I fidgeted with my hands.
“You won’t,” he whispered. “Listen, before, when you said I had no idea what it felt like to lose someone or love someone, I wanted you to know that I do.”
Was he going to come clean about Darach? I watched the sadness swim in his eyes.
“Do you want to talk about it?”
“No, not really. Just know that I once loved someone so much it hurt. And when he was taken from me, I swore I’d never let anyone near my heart again.”
My glance flickered to Darach, who was sitting on my bed. “What was his name?”
Nevin lowered his head, refusing to meet my gaze. “You know, I think this might be a tale for another time, Salome. We need to both be sound of mind for the coronation. And you need to make sure that your tattoo is visible for all to see tonight. They will not be able to deny you becoming queen, not when Faerie has marked you. They cannot ignore that.”
With a sigh, I shifted my gaze from him. “I sure hope you know what you’re doing by making me your queen.”
“I do.” He offered me his arm. “Are you ready?”
“As I’ll ever be.” I looked at Darach.
“Don’t worry, I’ll be there the whole time.” He stood to follow us, his face flushed.
I was sure he’d heard Nevin’s confession. Maybe that’d change how he felt about Nevin now. Maybe it’d offer him some small comfort to know that Nevin still thought of him.
When we stepped into the hall, several royal guards fell into place both in front of us and behind us. We went down a back stairwell. At the bottom were two enormous white oak doors with crowns carved on them. At our approach, they swung open. My heart clattered against my chest like someone clanging against metal bars. My pulse leapt to my throat as I gawked at the crowd that’d gathered in the throne room.
My eyes wandered the room. Most faces bore hopeful looks, smiles, or tears. But when I saw Rowena, I knew not everyone was happy. She glared, her animosity almost choking me.
Nevin led me before the throne. He released my hand and turned to address the crowd. “Good people of Summer. We have gathered here today to witness the crowning of our Summer Queen—the first in centuries.”
Cheers and whistles erupted around the room. My legs knocked together.
Please don’t let me pass out.
“Lady Salome has dedicated herself to our cause—but most of all to us. She broke the Winter curse in the human world. And today, the land has found her worthy—as I’ve found her worthy.”
Nevin’s fingers brushed against my skin as he pulled my hair back to reveal the golden tattoo on my forehead. Gasps and more cheers went up.
“Let there be no more doubt. My dear people, we’ve at last found our queen. Lord and Lady Claudius, bring forth the crown.”
The masses parted as two Fae entered the chambers. One carried a blue velvet pillow with a crown resting on top of it. The other held a white oak and sapphire scepter. They climbed the four stairs to the dais I stood on.
“Lady Salome, I ask that you please take a seat.” Nevin’s hand rested on my arm as he helped me to sit on the throne. He turned first to Lord Claudius for the scepter. “Lady Salome, I give to you the power, love, and sanctity of Summer. From here on out you will be the heart and voice of our people, as I am the shield and sword. Do you, Lady Salome of the Human World, accept this gift?”
I wet my lips. “I accept the Scepter of Summer—I will be the heart and voice of our people.”
He gave me a reassuring smile and placed the scepter in my left hand. Next, he turned to Lady Claudius. He raised the jeweled crown above my head. “Lady Salome, as the sovereign King of Summer, I choose you above all others to be my queen. I entrust our lands, our people, our magic, and our love to your hands. As my queen, you shall sit by my side and help to rule Summer. Your life is my life, as my life is your life. We are one. We are Summer. Lady Salome of the Human World, do you accept your queendom and profess to protect it at all costs, even if it means the ultimate price?”
My erratic pulse drowned out everything, but I slowed my breathing and stared straight ahead. “I accept the Crown of Summer. I will protect our lands, our people, our magic, and our love. Your life is my life, and my life is your life. We are one, Nevin of Summer. We are Summer.”
Nevin lowered the crown until it rested on my head. My body prickled with electricity as if a magical blanket had been thrown over me. There was no denying it—power flowed stronger in my veins. He offered me his hand and helped me stand.
“I present to you Queen Salome of Summer. May she reign by my side forever more.”
Whoops and hollers echoed around me. I smiled, tears welling in m
y eyes.
This is for you, Gareth. I promise I won’t let you down.
“Now, it is time to present the queen to our kingdom.” Nevin rested a hand at the small of my back as our guards fell in once more.
We exited the room and headed up a grand gold and white marble staircase. “Where are we going?”
“The Grand Balcony. You can see the whole kingdom from there. And it’s where royals are presented after a coronation.”
I glanced at him and for the first time in a long time, I noticed some of the strain had melted away. The smile he gave me reached his eyes. He looked rejuvenated, hopeful, and happy. I gave his hand a squeeze.
“Summer really will be okay now,” I said. “I—I have a feeling things will be set right.”
“I feel it too. The tides are shifting.”
When we reached the top landing, a line of stained glass doors stood before me. The setting sun shone through the colored glass, sending brilliant rainbows bouncing across the walls and floor. Even before we walked onto the balcony, I heard the roar of the crowd.
“Ready, my queen?” Nevin whispered.
“Yes, my king.”
Together we moved onto the opulent deck, high above Summer. Down below were thousands of Fae—elves, satyrs, centaurs, even some humans. Nevin raised our hands together, and we both waved.
Everyone shouted and screamed and cheered. Their love and hope washed over me. They’d been waiting for me. Darach’s words came rushing back to me.
You’re destined for this. Don’t you see? You broke the curse on Nevin. You freed me and my people from Grisselle’s clutches. You’re exactly what Faerie needs.
And somehow I knew he was right. As I waved to my people below, I noticed the dark skies in the distance—Winter’s threat closing in on us. In that moment, I would never doubt my choice to become queen. Others might’ve been pushing me to take the throne, but in the end, this was my choice. And now, I had one more thing to do—A life to save. I only prayed I wasn’t too late.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Kadie
Wood popped in the fireplace, spraying sparks in the air. My gaze rested on Grisselle, who sat eyeing the chessboard. She took deep breaths as if to calm herself. I hesitated in the doorway for long moments, wondering if I should disturb her or not, but at last, she looked up at me and waved me in.
“You don’t have to stand in the doorway,” she said. “I didn’t mean to scare you. It’s just that things around me feel as if they’re falling apart.”
I nodded. “I understand completely. Look, I’ve had a chance to think about the offer you made the other night. I mean, I’d like to take you up on it. If I share what information I know, then I want your word and promise that you won’t kill me.”
Excitement and fear raced through my blood: fear that she’d decide I wasn’t worth it and have me sent back to the Bone Yard; excitement for what my life could be if she let me live. I’d be trapped here, but at least I’d be alive.
And if I decided I wanted to visit the human world, I was sure I could convince Grisselle to let me. She needed me just as much as I needed her.
“Kadie? Are you sure?” She floated to my side, her hands clasping mine. “If you do this, then you’ll be here with me, forever. You will be like the sister I was supposed to have. And you’ll have to understand that sometimes I will have to ask you to do things you might not agree with, but whatever those things are will be for the betterment and survival of our kingdom. If you go through with this, then I promise to name you as my Heir. You will be my everything. Together we will rule all of Faerie one day. You will answer to no one but me, and I will never kill you so long as you never betray me. I’m putting my trust in you.”
She didn’t have to say the threat laced through her promise. I didn’t really have a choice. I could be her confidant, her sister, her heir, or I could turn her down and lose my life as quickly—as horribly—as Demetria had lost hers. But it wouldn’t be enough to simply agree to her offer. I had to make her believe I wanted it. I had to make myself believe I wanted it.
“I won’t betray you. I’ve had enough of that in my own life. We both deserve better than what we’ve been handed over the years.” I squeezed her hand back.
“Then let us make this official.” Grisselle produced a silver dagger.
My heart leapt into my throat and suddenly I couldn’t breathe. “What’s that for?” I took a step back.
“If we are to be sisters then we will do it in blood. You will become of my blood and I yours. We shall be blood sisters.” She took the blade and slid it along her palm.
I watched the crimson fluid bubble up in the wound. She handed the knife to me. I squeezed my eyes shut. Please don’t let me regret this. My hand trembled as I opened my eyes once more. I pressed the cool metal of the dagger against my skin and sliced. A sharp pain flared in my hand, and I cringed.
Grisselle clasped our wounded palms together, letting the blood intermingle. “From this day forward, we are sworn sisters bound to one another. Your thoughts will be my thoughts, and mine will be yours. We shall always know where the other one is. We swear in this moment our allegiance to each other. I will protect you and watch after you like a sister and you must do the same for me. Do you swear, Kadie, by your blood?”
Not like I had a choice.
I wet my lips. “Yes, I swear upon my blood.”
Even as the words left my mouth, I realized what I was doing to myself—how I was making myself a more certain prisoner in a way I might never escape. But I would do it, and I would do it to survive.
“Then you are, as of now, a Winter Princess and Heir to the Winter Throne.” Grisselle pulled her hand from mine, then kissed my brow. Her lips were as cool as ice cubes against my warm skin.
I snaked my arms around her and gave her a hug. It was done. I’d secured my safety. Grisselle embraced me back, rocking me back and forth.
“I’m glad we’re sisters now,” she said. “Now come. Sit with me and tell me all you know of Salome, her family, and Gareth…”
The queen asked lots of questions about Salome’s grandma after I explained how she seemed to know a lot about Faerie. I told her some of the stories Doris had read to us when we were younger, and how Salome was only allowed to go certain places, but never far from their property. I even explained about Gareth and how he was always at the right place at the right time whenever something happened with Salome and how the only places I ever saw him in the human world were Perky Joe’s and anywhere Salome was.
I didn’t know what kinds of information she’d find important, but she absorbed every detail I gave her: odd things I’d noticed about Salome over the years, the people she hung around with, her family and what roles they played in her life.
The odd thing was that the more I opened up to her, the easier it felt to tell her whatever she wanted to know. Like I could trust her, even though I knew I shouldn’t. I shuddered as I wondered whether the blood bond she’d forged between us would have deeper consequences than I’d realized.
When I finished, she thanked me and hugged me, telling me I’d given her all the information she needed and tonight we’d have a celebration in my honor, to introduce me to her kingdom as her heir.
As I stood in my room getting ready, I slipped into the beautiful red gown she’d laid out for me. There were snowflakes sewn into the hems of it, made of white lace. I then put on the ruby jewelry she’d given me, as well as the small crown, which fit atop my dark hair perfectly.
Rena, Etienne’s maid, handed me a pair of red satin slippers. “You are ready for dinner now.”
“Thank you. Where’s Etienne?”
She frowned. “In his room, getting dressed.” She took a step back from me. “Kadie, I can’t help but think you’ve made a mistake. Etienne’s worried about you.”
I laughed, hoping she couldn’t hear my anxiety. I couldn’t afford for Grisselle to ever doubt my commitment. This was my life now. It was the price I�
�d pay for staying alive. “There’s nothing to worry about. I’m fine. Besides, look at everything the queen has given me. She and I are friends now.”
Rena nodded. “I see. Well, if you don’t need me now, I’m going to go back to check on Etienne.”
“I’m good, thank you.”
Soon a pair of guards came to escort me to the dining room. I noticed they were leading me back to the original macabre part of the castle. However, when I got to the dining room door, Grisselle awaited me.
“Ah, you look beautiful, sister. Red is definitely your color.”
I looked at the ground. “Thank you.”
“Are you ready to be introduced?”
“I-I think so.” My nerves seemed to twitch beneath my skin like a fish flopping on land.
Doors opened to reveal a less dark room. I noticed Grisselle didn’t have any bones in there tonight, nor did she have any disturbing tortures set up to watch. Relief flooded over me.
When we entered, everyone stood: humans, royals, servants. Grisselle clutched hold of my arm and smiled down at me.
“Good people of Winter, I want to introduce you to our newest Winter Royal, Princess Kadie. You will treat her as you treat me, and you will obey her. She has been vital to me over these past few days and is like a sister.”
My gaze drifted across the crowd. I saw the surprise etched on some of the Fae lords’ and ladies’ faces, like they couldn’t believe the queen had given me a title.
And as terrible as I felt knowing Grisselle could harm me at any moment, that strange warm feeling came over me again, the same I’d felt when sharing with her my secrets about Salome. There were benefits to being her prisoner. There were benefits to earning her favor.
No more would I have to serve those bastards. Now they’d have to listen to me. But more importantly, I saw the resentment and horror on Crazy Chick’s face, and I smiled. She’d been trying for years to get in with the royals, constantly throwing herself at Teodor and the other princes, but I was the one granted this. I was the one the queen had chosen.
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