Nathan placed his hand on my back, right above my sensitive wings. “It’s going to be all right.”
“You can read me too well.” I smiled weakly.
He returned my smile, then grew serious once again. “What did you tell Onyx to make her back off?” It’s okay if you don’t want to tell me, he added telepathically.
Wanting to share, but afraid I’d put Nathan into a difficult position, I said, “I told Onyx that getting Thorsten in his current condition wouldn’t help her.” I closed my mouth, omitting the second part of my conversation. Nathan wouldn’t appreciate that I’d promised Onyx both my and Peony’s help.
“I’m grateful you were able to avert a fight. I shouldn't have tried to stop you.”
I studied Nathan, surprised that he wasn’t angry with me for revealing a secret to the Winter Court. What was going on? Last night, he’d agreed with King Peter turning Thorsten into a cactus. Now, he was encouraging me to keep peace with the Winter Court.
Nathan moved his jaw as if he wanted to say something and desperation shone in his eyes. But as he opened his mouth, he winced and seized his chest.
“Nathan? Are you in pain?” I grasped his shoulder.
“It’s nothing.” He released his chest and cleared his throat. “It’s been a long day.”
I shook my head. “That wasn't nothing.”
“It’s gone now.” He straightened so that he looked slightly down at me. “Virgie, you did the Summer Court a favor. The students need to become more highly trained before they go into battle. They are making progress, but they are not quite ready yet.”
I blinked at the sudden change in him. Gone was my Nathan, and in front of me stood the High Commander. “Whatever is troubling you, I hope you know you can talk to me.” But could he with me trying to help Onyx? Yes, I might not be loyal to King Peter, but I wanted to help Nathan and the Summer Court.
Nathan sighed. “It’s complicated. What should we do about Onyx? Whatever you told her, I guess she’ll need more than words to not attack in a week’s time.”
I nodded, respecting that he didn’t want to share everything and grateful that he was finally treating me as his equal. I motioned for him to follow me outside and to a nearby bench. This was a conversation we should have when we were both sitting. Clasping my hands together, I said, “We need to change Thorsten back. That’s the only thing that will stop the war. Onyx does not want to fight, but she will.” She had been through enough. We all had. I studied Nathan’s angular face, his serious features, and silver eyes. If I wanted him to be fully honest with me, I had to do the same. “I promised Onyx that we’d work on freeing Thorsten from the inside. That’s the only reason she turned away.”
Nathan threw his head back and stared up at the fireflies buzzing through the sky. “If a war breaks out, thousands of fae on both sides will die.”
Nathan had lost his parents to rogue Winter fae. He had lost his childhood Winter fae friends to King Peter. Just like me, Nathan was torn.
“Transforming Thorsten back into a vampire is our best chance at ending a war.” Something else occurred to me then. “The letter I delivered to Onyx must’ve been a cruel taunt.”
“Likely,” Nathan agreed. “But how will we turn Thorsten back? I know of no one other than King Peter who has the ability to transmute others.”
I took a deep breath and laid down all my cards. “Peony. Her plant magic should be strong enough. Caleb’s troops can aid us in sneaking Thorsten out. We need to free Peony and Caleb before we free Thorsten.”
Nathan rose, and I waited for him to tell me that that was impossible, that I’d lost my mind. Instead, he nodded slowly. “All right. We’ll do it to keep the peace.”
Hope lit up inside my chest. “Do you promise?”
His face contorted with pain again. “A promise is binding in this world.” But then he relaxed, easing my heart rate.
“That happened again.”
“It was nothing too intense,” Nathan said. “I am going through a lot right now, I must admit. We all are. Perhaps we need some sleep.”
I pushed away the disappointment I felt, trying to be grateful for how open-minded he was about helping Onyx. “At least, we agree that we need peace.” A yawn tickled the back of my jaw, reminding me that I needed to get some sleep. “Good night, Nathan. I hope we can talk more in the morning.”
5
Virgie
I thought for sure I’d have to chase down Nathan or at least be the one to go to him, but the next morning, he woke me up with a knock on my door. Rubbing the sleep out of my eyes and tying the sash on my lilac morning robe, I opened the door, suddenly aware of how thin the fabric was covering my body.
“Can I come in?” Nathan rocked on his boots, appearing nervous. Clearly, he had been thinking overnight.
“Yes.” I stepped aside and closed the door behind him, relieved when I saw no one lurking outside to witness Nathan coming into my room at eight in the morning. I could only imagine how the media would blow up over the sight and the speculation that would run wild.
“You were right.” Nathan paced up and down my living room before continuing. “We need Peony and Caleb’s help. We’ll talk to them tonight. Peony will need to practice before she can attempt a transformation on Thorsten. The transmutation is not an easy task.”
A mountain lifted off my shoulders. I was so overwhelmed with gratitude at Nathan’s words, I rushed over to him and pulled him into a hug. He stiffened with surprise, but a beat later, his strong arms enveloped me. I pressed further into him, letting my head rest underneath his chin.
He brought his nose down into my hair and inhaled deeply. “Mmm. You smell good, like jasmine and spices.”
I chuckled. “Thanks. Most guys would’ve gone with roses and vanilla, but I’ll take jasmine and spices.”
Color crept into Nathan’s face. “Sorry, but I’m not very experienced at this.”
I tilted my head up so that our lips were only inches apart. I felt as if I could sink into his silvery eyes. “I know you’ve been busy with your position, but certainly…I mean I’ve seen how the Summer fae women look at you.”
Nathan chuckled. “I’ve had to turn down a few very persistent ladies, but they weren’t interested in me, but rather my position and the media attention.”
“What makes you think I’m different?” I cocked an eyebrow and flashed him a grin.
Nathan snorted, his eyes sparking with rare amusement. “Since you’ve arrived, you’ve done everything to make your life harder. You challenged Percival, questioned the king, and now you're working with the enemy.”
With those words, the air thickened. I broke the hug and backed away. “Onyx is not the enemy.”
Nathan nodded slowly. “I know, but the rest of the Summer Court will disagree. Her father created and spread the Barren Plague.”
“Her father did that. Not Onyx.” But the Summer Court wouldn’t make the distinction. We needed to expose King Peter and make his subjects see what a monster he was. That he didn’t have their best interests in mind. That he was driven by greed and revenge. I shook my head. Exposing the king? It sounded preposterous. I needed to focus on the task at hand. “Do we have to sneak into the dungeons, or can we visit Caleb and Peony openly?”
Nathan drummed his fingers against the wall. “As the High Commander, I have permission to visit them at any time and the discretion to bring anyone I want, but it won’t look good and will create questions. It’s best if you use your abilities to distract the guards. The dungeons are located under the palace.”
I nodded. “But won’t they get suspicious with us flying to the palace in the first place without a reason?”
Nathan hesitated, and just as I was becoming frustrated with him holding back again, he said, “We do have a reason. Early this morning, I told the king that to keep the morale high for any coming war, it was time to show the earthbound fae the palace.”
I swallowed hard. We were making good little s
oldiers out of Kristen and the others. “I’ll be expected to show up to keep them in line.”
“Yes, but we’ll sneak off after a while. In case something goes wrong, it’s best to have one of the earthbound fae with us so that we can have the excuse of showing them the dungeons. We can say they want to learn to be a prison guard. We never have enough of those.” Nathan paused. “Do you trust any of the Vasara students?”
“Kristen.” She aimed to please, and she didn’t want to die. “She’s good at combat training.”
“The girl you made nick herself?” Nathan raised an eyebrow, clearly not believing that anyone would want to help us after that.
He had no idea what life had been like at Nocturnal Academy. Making someone nick themselves was nothing compared to what the vampires had done to us. “If we give Kristen an incentive, she’ll work with us.”
Even more doubt entered Nathan’s features. He furrowed his brows and tapped the edge of the piano.
“We’ll make her swear an oath so that she doesn’t play both sides.” I wasn’t foolish. I would have to bind Kristen to me.
Nathan sighed. “Are you sure about her?”
I nodded. “She was friends with me and Peony at Nocturnal Academy. I know her well.”
“All right.” Nathan glanced toward the door. “I have to get going. Nerissa will announce the palace visit at one of your classes today.”
Our first class that day was History. Blythe was lecturing us about how the architecture of the Summer Castle was much more impressive than anything the humans had ever created and how Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany was a cheap replica created by a human architect who had a tryst with a Summer fae.
“Of course, that fae should’ve never shared our secrets with a human. He was thrown into the dungeons after his slip where he spent the rest of his days. He eventually died of grief and perhaps regret over his unnatural sexual pleasures.” Blythe finished with a satisfied smile, her peach-colored wings flapping behind her. Goose bumps exploded on my skin. I couldn’t believe I ever thought of her as serene. She was like one of those evangelists who baked cookies and pretended to be all nice before proclaiming that being gay meant eternal damnation.
Blythe moved on to praise the talent of the fae who had built the Summer Palace around a cascading waterfall when the door opened, and Nerissa walked in. She gave us all a warm smile, but instead of calming me, it made my palms prickle and my stomach turn.
“Apologies for interrupting.” At the tense faces, Nerissa added, “I have come with good news. I just received clearance to take you all on a tour of the Summer Palace.”
A few people gasped as if they couldn’t believe their ears. Kristen stiffened and sat straight up which just made me feel worse about what I would have to do.
“How wonderful. We were just discussing its architectural components,” Blythe said in a sugary voice, pretending the two events weren’t coordinated and like we were taking the students to the castle for an excursion. It certainly wasn't to increase their patriotism and thus their willingness to die for their court.
Blythe’s expectant gaze turned to me, and I nodded. Calming thoughts mixed with excitement was what I needed to send out to the students, even if I only felt tension.
I reminded myself that this was only a tour. No fighting would be involved. With my encouragement, the students rose as one and filed out after Nerissa, picking up their paces. We stepped onto the tree staircase in pairs and left the Vasara Center. A few people gasped at the open gates, reminding us that most of the students hadn’t left campus since getting here. Outside, several huge carriages drawn by four Pegasi each awaited. Nathan sent the first group of students off.
I tapped Kristen on the arm. “You can ride with us,” I said out loud and added silently, Stay close to me.
“Okay.” Kristen chewed on her fingernail as she watched each white carriage roll away and take off with a whoosh. Finally, it was our turn to get into the last big carriage with about twenty fae in total. Nathan rode with us while Nerissa had gone with the first carriage. I didn’t speak. Each row of the long space was packed.
When we landed in the outer courtyard of the palace, the other students stood near the doorway, assembled in lines, maintaining perfect posture. Their eyes shone with wonder as they took in the majestic castle and the waterfall that cascaded to the valley.
Nerissa clapped to get everyone’s attention. “Come on, students. I will show you the gardens first. Remain orderly and make the Summer Court proud.”
I seized Kristen’s arm and sent her calming thoughts as the other students filed through the archway and into the main courtyard. She flinched at first, but then relaxed in my grasp. “You can hang with us,” I offered. I had mentalist abilities, but I needed to make everything I put in someone’s mind believable. I rubbed my palms on my dress, feeling dirty for compelling her, yet knowing it was necessary.
What’s the plan? I asked Nathan telepathically, who walked on my other side.
We need Kristen to stand guard at the prison cell, came his reply.
I glanced sideways and focused on Kristen’s temple. Ask me about Peony.
Kristen cleared her throat. “When is Peony coming back? I miss her.”
I felt another pang of guilt at manipulating Kristen. “I miss Peony too. I was thinking of visiting her while the other students are touring the castle.”
Kristen’s brown eyes widened. “Can we?”
I nodded. “I want to make sure she’s fine.” Offer to stand guard for us outside, I urged Kristen. It was best if she thought it had been her idea.
She smiled. “That’s nice. I could help…if you need someone to keep an eye out.”
I returned her smile. “That would be great. Thank you.”
A vow, Nathan spoke into my mind. He walked in front of us, boots clicking as he followed the group of students through the archway, but he slowed so we were ten feet behind the group. Ahead, Nerissa spoke in her tinkling voice about the inner courtyard and the river.
“Promise me that whatever you see or do will stay between us,” I said in a low voice. At least no manipulation was needed for this part.
Kristen hesitated, knowing from Blythe’s lessons that oaths were binding in the fae world. Her eyes widened, and I knew she had her own goals in mind. “Will you protect me in return?”
Nathan stopped walking and turned around. “I’ll ensure that if war happens, you’ll have a desirable position. That is my promise.” He glanced at the bow slung across her shoulder. “Are you a good archer?” Kristen nodded. “Good. Archers are more protected than warriors who fight on the ground.”
Kristen exhaled. “I promise to help you both if you keep me safe in exchange.” It was a simple vow and not very well thought out, but it should benefit us both. I was amazed at how well this was working out and should have asked her to do this sooner.
“We promise to keep you safe in exchange for you helping us,” I said and tingling magic spread through me. Nathan repeated my vow.
Kristen smiled. It was done.
By now, we walked twenty feet behind the group and instead of turning down the straight corridor with all the glowing waterfalls, Nathan turned left twice before we came to a staircase that led down. We descended the brick stairway in silence, and the air grew staler. Despite Nathan showing me around the castle, I had never come down here.
Kristen didn’t ask questions. There was nothing left to say. I reached out mentally, searching for active minds, and I sensed two tingling presences below. Two guards. That wasn’t too bad. Should I conceal our identities?
Nathan shook his head. Make sure they’re looking away and don’t see our faces. Best to not alert them to our presence at all. You’ve seen how rumors fly here.
Is that even possible?
I’m sure you can do it.
Kristen glanced between the two of us, like we were playing a game of table tennis, biting her lip. Clearly, she was catching on that we were having a tel
epathic conversation. I was relieved that I had sworn her to loyalty before she’d figured it out.
“Stay calm,” I whispered and squeezed her hand.
A few more steps down the staircase and closer to a lantern revealed an archway at the bottom. I knew the guards would be waiting around the next corner. A bit of natural light streamed into the space below. Is there a window down there? I asked.
Yes, Nathan replied. He took off his shoes and signaled for us to do the same. We did, and I focused on the guards’ minds.
Look out of the window. The valley view is amazing. It’s such a nice day. Is there a way to crack it open? Think about what you’ll do after your shift ends.
I felt the guards’ minds relax in response to my prompt, turning from tense prickles to waves of gentle energy.
“How many more hours before the end of the shift?” one asked.
“I need some air. Want to go for a hunt once we're done?” the other asked. The sound of footsteps echoed, followed by the cracking of a window. I could barely hold back my smile. “Maybe that patch of woods over there is public. We'll have to ask.”
I gave Nathan a nod, and in we went. The two guards wearing green-and-white uniforms had their bronze wings turned to us as we hurried past them, our bare feet padding against the cold cobblestone. Both were peeking out at potential hunting grounds in the distance, muttering amongst themselves.
Just mice and the creaking of the castle. Nothing important, I whispered into the guards’ minds. It worked, and we slipped past the guards undetected. Kristen, however looked like she was close to crying. Her lip wobbled, and her face had gone pale.
Relax, I told her as we reached a T-junction. I held the guilt down, reminding myself that she'd agreed to this. It will be all good.
The next corridor had several wooden doors, each probably leading to a cell. Nathan walked down the corridor and reached out for the final cell, then grabbed both Kristen and I and flattened us into a shadowed alcove. In the tiny space, his body pressed against mine, making me relax even as a familiar voice that I disliked rang out.
The Nocturnal and Fae Prison Academy Boxset [A Complete Paranormal and Fantasy Series Boxset] Page 88