“Everston,” I corrected, shivering on the inside. Getting closer to the king was good, but more limelight also meant more scrutiny, which was the last thing I needed.
“I’m really proud of you.” Nathan’s face softened. “You barely needed me there.”
I grinned. “I told you I was strong.”
Pain invaded his features, and his mask came down for a precious second. “It’s not easy to let others stand on their own feet after watching helplessly as your family gets butchered.”
I gasped, speechless at this sudden revelation. Nathan blinked, his eyes widening as if he couldn’t understand how the past had made it past his sealed lips. Turning away from me, he packed up the basket in a few quick moves and rose. I followed suit, unable to do anything but stare at him as he folded the blanket. He avoided my gaze, and I stayed silent, sensing that no matter what I said, it would only make everything worse. Losing one’s family was one thing, but seeing your parents killed in front of you was unthinkable.
18
Nathan and I walked back to the Vasara Training Center in silence. It was clear from his tense jaw that he regretted letting me see his scars. I wanted to grab his elbow, or pat his shoulder, or something, but I didn’t, afraid I’d make everything worse.
“King Peter practically raised you,” I blurted, unable to hold in my thoughts any longer. “It’s no wonder you serve him so well.” Could I dismantle the only security Nathan felt? Did I want to? One thing was clear: to influence Nathan and stop the coming war, as well as the sacrifice of Peony, Kristen, and the other former earthbound fae, I had to work on his stubborn loyalty.
“Yes.” Nathan’s professional tone returned. “Nerissa and I are grateful.”
Did you make a vow to King Peter? The question danced on my tongue, but refused to come out.
We entered the gate of Vasara, which closed behind Nathan, and stepped onto the flowering grounds. I didn’t have much time to get more information out of Nathan, so I tried one last time. “King Peter puts a lot on your shoulders.”
Nathan nodded and frowned slightly. “It is a lot of pressure. I am the youngest High Commander in the history of the Summer Court. Everyone is watching me.”
I recognized my chance. “I can imagine. I feel the same way.” I bit my lip, knowing I needed to show vulnerability, but not wanting him to think me incapable. “At least you don’t have Pierre trying to dress you every day.”
My attempt to lighten the mood worked, because Nathan eyed his white suit and offered me one of his rare smiles. “That is a relief indeed.” I laughed, wondering how I could bring out that sense of humor more. But the sparkle in Nathan’s silver eyes quickly died. “My position carries a lot of responsibility.” His gaze flicked to the sides, but we were alone on the front grounds of Vasara. Classes were in session and all the fae would either be packed in classrooms or out back, training with weapons. “Sometimes I wish I were born a low-level fae. A guard to follow easy rules, not make decisions that could impact thousands.”
“Soldiers die all the time.” The words shot out of me before I could stop them.
Nathan flinched. “Trust me, Virgie, I understand the horrors of war.” I felt his magic flare with tension. “I may be a High Commander, but a High Commander goes into a fight with his troops. And I saw the horrors of war as a child.” Nathan took a step closer, sadness in his eyes.
My breath hitched as I had to admit that there was so much more to this High Commander than his unyielding loyalty to the king.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered, knowing I couldn’t push him further today, yet also understanding that this was the beginning of a change. Since trust had to go both ways, I added, “I understand if you’re not ready to talk about the details. I’ve been through some things myself at Nocturnal Academy.” I choked up for a second. I had never spoken of the Wild Hunt to anyone, yet with Nathan I suddenly had the urge to share. “The vampires planned to violate, then kill me. They made me feel like I was nothing…shit, I don’t know why I said all of this. Forget it.”
Nathan’s gaze blazed with anger, and I stumbled back. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to frighten you.” He pinched the space between his brows. “I wish I could go after each and every one of the vampires who hurt you and make them pay.”
But he couldn’t. He was loyal to the king and would stay by his side until the king announced it was time for war.
“What about the breeding program here?” I dared to ask. “Will it be like that?”
Now, it was Nathan’s turn to flinch. “Neither I nor my parents ever approved of it, and it hasn’t been put into motion yet. If we all work together and restore the health of the Summer Court, it might never have to be put it into motion. As an Everston, you can create peace in our lands, which will heal them.”
I nodded slowly. So Nathan had some capability to think on his own. “You really think I can do it?”
Nathan smiled. “Absolutely.”
We walked in silence for a moment before my thoughts turned to the Everston who had served the king before me. “Did your parents know my father?” Had my father not been as skilled as Nathan in compartmentalizing? Had King Peter driven my father to drink?
Nathan sighed. “I’m sorry, but I already told you all I knew about your father.”
I bit my lip. “How about your family?”
He took a breath. “My family had a vacation home near the border of the Summer lands, on the shore of a beautiful lake. That’s where it happened. We don’t know if the Winter fae who attacked us were rogues or if they were ordered by the Winter king.”
I swallowed. Onyx’s father. Would he have done such a thing?
“They came in the night and broke into the cottage. My parents were sleeping.” Nathan gazed at a far point in the distance, the silver in his eyes turning to water. “They didn’t have time to react or use their magic, even though both were great warriors. My sister and I barely escaped from the house. We ran into the forest and all we could do was listen to their screams. Nerissa doesn’t remember it. But I do.”
Slowly, Nathan’s hands closed into fists.
“Nathan, I’m so sorry.” My throat went dry.
“It is in the past and the past can’t be changed.” Nathan raised his chin. “Many nomad families lived in the area. When King Peter heard of the murder of his High Commander, he sent reinforcements. His troops killed all the Winter families vacationing in the area.”
I gasped. “You knew them? They were friends of yours?”
He nodded. “Yes, as a child, I played with many of their children. It was different back then.” He let out a sad chuckle. “Well, we believed it to be a peaceful time. I enjoyed playing with the Winter fae, seeing how different their magic was from ours.” A sad smile played on his lips, then it vanished, and he turned serious once again. “It wasn’t wise. My parents tried to warn me against befriending Winter fae children.”
I gulped as I understood how much violence Nathan had witnessed. His former friends hadn’t received a trial. They had died for the crimes of a few horrible Winter fae. “These children were innocent. They should’ve never been butchered.”
“King Peter had to protect me and my sister.” Nathan gritted his teeth. “He had to do it for the good of the Summer Court. We were the only remaining Bitterbays. The two of us have never returned to our vacation home. Neither have the other fae. Spring Lake has since been abandoned by all fae.”
My lunch rose in my throat. “There should’ve been a trial, not an execution.” How could I serve such an awful king and do what he would ask of me? “Nathan. War will bring more of this horror to both courts.”
“Virgie, I know, but there is no other way. King Peter has the best interests of the Summer Court in mind.” Nathan folded his hands in front of him. “I don’t want anyone here losing their loved ones. It isn’t fair, and it changes you forever.”
“We will all lose more loved ones if there is war. We have to try for peace. For the
sake of the Summer and Winter Court,” I tried again.
Nathan didn’t reply, but he also didn’t say no, which I hoped meant that my words were reaching him. Before I could speak again, the doors to the wood and clay mansion were flung open and Nerissa walked out. The glow around her wings vibrated, and her hands were pressed together tightly. Something was very wrong.
“Sister,” Nathan said, his tone matching the worried look on her face.
Nerissa held up a scroll. “King Peter wants us all immediately to come to the Summer palace for a meeting.”
19
As soon as the Pegasi-drawn carriage landed at the Summer Palace, guards ushered us from the center courtyard and into the throne room. No one spoke, which only served to increase the tension that pulled my shoulders upward. The king was already waiting on his tree throne, kid prince Percival standing next to him. Positioned behind both of them were important advisors whose names I couldn’t remember, but whom I’d seen at the Harvest Ball. Everyone was dressed in green and gold, and no one spoke.
Nathan and Nerissa took a spot on the left side of the king, and I joined them, my heart pounding rapidly. Caleb and Peony were on the right side. Caleb stood tall, his body tense while Peony twisted her hands together.
“Now that everyone is gathered, let us begin,” King Peter boomed. “Caleb Kallan, stand before me.”
Peony turned pale, and my stomach knotted. Caleb, however, kept his head high as he stepped in front of the king, exactly at the spot where Onyx had been only a few days prior. The leaves on King Peter’s head curled with anger, and my breaths grew shallow as I wondered what was about to happen to Caleb.
“I gave you everything, Caleb Kallan. My name, my home. Riches and education others only dream about. You are even in line for the throne should none of my legitimate children survive.” Percival puffed out his chest at the last words of the king, clearly thinking that being born into a royal line was the highest achievement.
“And how have you thanked me for this?” King Peter gripped his throne arms hard, and the tree branches groaned in protest as they grew darker. Whatever nasty energy he was shooting into them, I wanted to stay as far away from it as possible.
“Your Majesty, Father.” Caleb bowed his head lowly. “I greatly appreciate everything you’ve done for me, and am deeply apologetic if I have disappointed you in any way.”
King Peter leaned forward and went for the kill. “Disappointed? Disappointed!” Spittle flew from his mouth. “I was right to suspect that you were up to no good. Interviewing my guards and your soldiers brought me the truth. You embarrassed me when you chose to work with that princess of the Winter Court and her vampire lover to free the earthbound fae. You did not, as you led me to believe, work alone.”
Blood drained out of me. So that was why we were all here. Great. King Peter would never trust Onyx after she and his son had worked together behind his back. Even if she managed his impossible demands and freed Petra from the wastelands, King Peter would find a way to back out of his part of the deal.
“What do you have to say for yourself, son?” King Peter balled his fist.
Caleb’s eyes flashed with determination. “Father. When I went to the human realm, I was under the impression that I could free the Nocturnal Academy pupils and prisoners as long as I didn’t bring war to the Summer Court.” Caleb’s voice was calm and clear. How could he stay so cool under pressure? “We were in desperate need of the earthbound because of the plague. Your Majesty, himself, sanctioned my request to use my troops to free the earthbound fae.”
“That is not the point!” The veins in King Peter’s neck popped. “You dared to disgrace me by working with Winter fae and then bring those deserters here. They should’ve stayed in the human world where they belong.”
“The earthbound fae are an asset. As for Onyx and Thorsten, I assure you they came to me and promised that they didn’t want anything in return.”
A vine shot from King Peter’s hand and wrapped around Caleb’s torso, dragging him closer. His feet scraped against the cobblestone as everyone inhaled sharply. Peony trembled with helplessness. I almost reached for Nathan, but he froze into a statue, his gaze steely and without emotion. Was this how he coped with serving King Peter?
“How dare you try to justify your disgusting behavior?” King Peter sneered.
I had to do something, but I sensed no openings. King Peter’s magical armor was strong today, as if feeding off his anger.
“You are an embarrassment to the whole family,” Percival chimed in, and I seriously wanted to slap the kid prince.
Caleb didn’t resist the vines, but bowed low, from his waist. “I apologize, Your Majesty for misjudging the situation. Please believe me when I say that I was acting with good intentions.”
The vines retracted and then shoved Caleb away, before vanishing back into the king’s palm.
“You’re a disappointment. Just like your mother.” King Peter raised a glass with dark-red liquid to his mouth and drank deeply.
“It should’ve been you who died, not Preston,” Percival hissed.
I gasped, and Nathan took my hand, drawing soothing circles. Whether that was because he truly wanted to comfort me or because he was afraid that I’d do something stupid, I didn’t know. Either way, instead of calming me, his touch reminded me that I couldn’t give up. I had to diffuse the situation. I had been watching on like an idiot, not doing anything for Caleb, when I was the only one in the room who could put the king in a better mood.
“I should strip you of your title,” King Peter continued. “Find someone more worthy.” He drank deeply from his glass again, and I focused on his forehead, forcing my thoughts through his armor with all my might.
Show mercy. Caleb didn’t mean it. He’s young. You need him. You only have him and Percival. I wasn’t sure which approach would work on King Peter best—reason, fear, or an attempt to soothe him, so I threw everything at him until a dull ache began at my temples.
“We should send Caleb to the wastelands to retrieve Petra since he likes this Onyx so much.” Percival smiled cruelly.
Let Caleb get off lightly. He’s a good son. You need him. Percival is too young to be the only remaining heir.
I strained my power so much, my eyelid began to twitch.
King Peter narrowed his eyes as Caleb waited. “No, not the wastelands.”
I sent a silent prayer of thanks to whoever was listening, but then King Peter crossed his arms and smiled grimly. “To the dungeons. For you and that...fae.” King Peter pointed lazily at Peony. “A week or two there will set you straight.”
Peony gasped, and Caleb opened his mouth to protest, but then closed it, probably realizing that anything he said would only extend his prison sentence. The guards closed in on Caleb and Peony and pulled their hands behind their backs.
Peony had escaped one prison to land in another. I swallowed as our gazes met, her hazel eyes filled with tears. I stepped forward, but Nathan gripped my wrist tightly.
All I could do was watch on as the guards marched Peony and Caleb, now both bound in vines, out of the throne room.
Time slowed. Peony and Caleb were being punished just for working with Onyx. It wasn’t right. The pressure on my wrist increased, and I realized that Nathan was pulling me out of the throne room and into the gardens. I followed him numbly, not caring about the countless blooms and fireflies surrounding me, and ignoring Nathan’s attempts to give me a white drink.
“How could you just stand by and not do anything? Why didn’t you speak up?” I hissed after glancing around and making sure we were alone.
Nathan sighed. “It wasn’t my place, Virgie. Rules are rules, and I trust my king.”
“But Caleb didn’t do anything wrong. If anything, he should be rewarded. Countless earthbound fae were released. The king doesn’t have to do the breeding program anymore. This should be the most important thing.”
Nathan shook his head. “Caleb knew King Peter would be imm
ensely displeased if he worked with our enemy and yet he still chose to. Now, Caleb has to face the consequences.”
I pushed my fists into my hips. How had I ever liked and trusted this guy? How had I ever found him charming and considered kissing him? “So the king’s pride stands above all else, and you’re just going to agree with him no matter what decisions he makes? Do you even care if the earthbound fae die fighting the Winter Court or if they’re used in the breeding program?”
Nathan flinched backward, but I wasn’t done yet.
“Is everything okay as long as your king approves of it?” I pointed to my temple. “Use your own head!” With that, I stormed off toward the exterior courtyard, needing to return to Varsara Center where I was far away from the press, Nathan, and his excuses.
The days went by in a blur as I focused on my studies. That was all I had. The sharper my mind, the higher the chances that I would get to create a world where peace ruled instead of another nightmare. I also practiced with my dagger, jabbing it over and over into hay dolls and making sure I could retrieve and hide it within a split second anywhere on my body.
I desperately wished I could visit Peony in the dungeons and cheer her up, but without an escort, the gates to the Vasara Center wouldn’t open for me. Hopefully, she and Caleb would be released soon.
My path never crossed with Nathan, so it was easy to keep my distance from him. However, on the fifth day, after classes, I ran into Nerissa.
“Are you enjoying your stay at the Summer Court?” Nerissa eased into the conversation.
“For the most part.” I shifted from foot to foot. I knew this wasn’t what she wanted to hear, but I was tired of fake politeness.
She nodded. “Nathan has been asking about you.”
“Was the Summer Court always like this?” Her eyebrow furrowed, letting me know I had succeeded in steering the conversation to a different topic. “It seems that the king isn’t taking counsel from anyone.”
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