Netherby Halls

by Claudy Conn

  He berated himself. If only he had kept Lana on Dravo … in chains—it would have taken chains to keep her from the fight, for she had been too headstrong to listen. He should have foreseen this; he should have spelled her home.

  The war with Gaiscioch was over. The Human Realm was safe for the time being. The two remaining Dark Princes had been returned to the Dark Realm, where they would forever remain imprisoned with Queen Morrigu.

  Gaiscioch was dead—his evil but a recent memory—but Pestale had escaped and was somewhere in the human realm.

  It rode him hard and drew blood that Pestale was free! Chancemont’s determination went beyond purpose, beyond thought, and took him to a place where all he knew was his need for justice.

  So then, Chance had become a hunter.

  He would capture the evil prince, and he would make his demands before he put him out of his misery—for he would keep him there, begging for death until he said Lana’s name.

  And so it began.

  ~ One ~

  Princess Royce of the House of Nimrough

  “ROYCE!”

  “Trevor!” She turned and tried smiling in spite of what she knew she was about to face on the other side of the door she had her hand raised to. Trevor was one of her closest friends. “What are you doing?”

  “Long story—but I guess you know about … about Lana,” he said grimly.

  “My brother told me, and I am so sorry …” She watched as his jaw stiffened and his face suddenly looked older. He must have fallen hard for Lana LeBlanc.

  She reached out and petted his arm but said no more. She didn’t think he needed words. He gave her a crooked smile and sighed heavily. “I am off to meet with Chance, and then we will find the devil …”

  “Yes, Trev, but I heard that he is the oldest of the Dark Princes and very cunning—you watch your back,” she cautioned, recalling an incident where he had been braver than he had been wise. She touched his face. “Trev … he can move in and kill you with the same sword he used on …” She didn’t want to say the name and see the pain in his eyes and quickly changed her warning. “He is ruthless, and you are not.”

  “He may be cunning and ruthless, but I am a Seelie Prince of the House of Lugh. Danté taught me everything I need to know, and what he didn’t teach me, Breslyn did. You can rest assured that I am totally equipped as a Tracker and a warrior,” he said with a superior tone.

  This pronouncement made Princess Royce laugh. “You are pretty darn proud of yourself,” she said affectionately and was pleased to see him crack a genuine smile.

  “Sounded pompous, huh?”

  She made a show with her thumb and forefinger. “Just a little … but I know, if anyone can do it, Trev, you can.”

  He patted her on the shoulder. “Thanks and good luck, yourself.” He indicated Queen Aaibhe’s chamber with his chin. “I heard you’ve been called on the carpet again, for your wayward ways.” he smiled and shook his head. “You know, she once sent Breslyn into the middle of the ocean floor and took away all his powers …” His eyes teased, and he flicked a long tress of bright red hair before her eyes.

  She pushed her hair out of her face and touched him, for she was genuinely worried this time. She knew he would not totally understand; Trevor did not care for humans. However, he would sympathize with her all the same. Instead, he released a bark of laughter.

  “Don’t worry … she probably goes easier on her princesses.”

  “Not this time …” Royce sighed. “I didn’t just bend the rules, Trev—I exploded them.”

  “I heard,” he said softly and then added as he twirled another strand of her long hair and flung it across her nose, “It’s okay, Red—you couldn’t help it. Don’t know why these humans draw you in so completely, but she knows your state of mind is compassionate, and as wild as your fiery disposition, so don’t worry, she won’t banish you.”

  He smiled and shifted off, and Royce took a long drag of air and blew it out slowly. She entered the queen’s chambers, and there she was—Aaibhe, Queen of the Seelie Fae.

  The queen held her fingers pyramided, and she looked to Royce like she was … what? Royce couldn’t tell. She tried to see what those brilliant, iridescent eyes held—controlled fury? No—was it disappointment? No … ah, determination. The queen had most certainly made up her mind to handle the situation differently than she had in the past. Uh oh—trouble, Royce thought as she closed and then reopened her eyes. At least she’d remembered to change her jeans and T for a pretty blue silk dress and had blinked her hair into a thin gold band that held up the long strands on the top of her head in the style she knew the queen preferred.

  The queen smiled softly, patted the chair next to her own, and said softly, “Sit, my Princess, and do not hesitate—explain yourself.”

  “My Queen,” Royce started to say as she sat. “First, allow me to point out that the child wasn’t dying. Hence, it wasn’t as though I was bringing him back to life …” The words she had just blurted sounded absurd even to her, but it was the truth, at least as she saw matters. She immediately observed the queen’s reaction and stopped any other words that wanted to tumble from her lips. Instead, she folded her hands together in her lap and tried again, more calmly. “What I am trying to say, Queen Aaibhe is this: I did not really infringe on the path of destiny … and even if I did a little, it was totally necessary because he would not have been in that awful and unacceptable situation—well, it was in essence, our fault, wasn’t it … I mean …”

  “Our fault?” The Queen of the Seelie Fae raised her lovely brow and interrupted. “How so?”

  “The Dark Fae escaped because we couldn’t stop them from doing so. One of those sinister monsters chased young David, reached for him, and the child stepped backwards into the street. He was hit by a car and would have been paralyzed for the rest of his life. Our fault.”

  “I see,” Aaibhe said so softly Royce almost couldn’t hear her, and then she asked, “So then, my Princess, do we make it our business to round up any humans that survived an attack by the Dark Fae but are in critical condition and heal them? Is that what you are suggesting?”

  “No, I know that is not possible, although I wish it were. I know we can’t reveal ourselves to the general population, but in this case I was right there! I saw it happen, and before I could do anything to stop it …” She shook her head. “David and his family are friends of mine, and I have a great affection for them … and … I … I couldn’t …”

  “You were there because you were involved with a human family—and overly involved and attached with this child. It put you in a precarious situation. You lent your aid without permission, you risked exposing yourself and us to humans, for what? So that you could heal the boy. I am not without compassion, my dear. I do understand. I do see it all very clearly. The question is do you?” Aaibhe said grimly.

  “I am their friend—they don’t know that I am a Fae … let alone a Fae princess. They didn’t know that David’s injuries were serious. I healed him before they knew anything. They simply did not realize anything untoward had occurred.”

  “Let me understand your point of view. Are you saying that when we happen to be on the spot … and a favored human is injured, we may heal them without taking precautions or worrying about the repercussions?”

  “No … that is not what I am saying.” Royce pleaded with her eyes and hoped her queen would understand. “These were extraordinary circumstances. The Dark Fae were our responsibility, and they escaped because we didn’t keep them contained. They were loose … killing and maiming, and David was there, right before my eyes, and he would have been crippled all his little life and …”

  “And as I have said, I quite understand, do not think I don’t … but what I want to know because I am your queen and must discern your reasoning—is did you give some thought to what it would mean to the future if you healed him?”

  “I … no, there wasn’t time.” Royce hung her head and then raised it
. “Besides, we can never be sure what is destined and what is not. Perhaps there was a reason I just happened to be there when this took place … perhaps I was meant to heal him?”

  “You have this all worked out then, have you?” the queen said with a cluck of her tongue. Then with pursed lips she took Royce’s chin in her hand and made her look into her eyes once more.

  “I … didn’t think about anything else. He is a child, and I care for him …” Royce pleaded.

  “Of course you did, and I do believe you know that when you broke our rules, rules that were put in place after great consideration and necessity, you walked the edge of danger with regards to the workings of our beliefs. We Fae understand that tampering with the fates is a serious act.” Aaibhe clucked briefly and then added, “Your parents are concerned about your obsession with humans, and unlike Prince Breslyn, you don’t have the maturity and experience to deal with the intricacies of ‘breaking the rules’.”

  “My Queen …” she started. “His fate should not have been determined by the Dark Fae.”

  Aaibhe put up a hand and halted her from speaking. “I have asked you to sit in on council meetings with Aida and Ete as your guides … do you not care for them?”

  “I adore them. They are like older, wiser sisters … well, Ete is. Aida is just so much fun …”

  “And still you do not attend the meetings,” the queen said, clearly reproving her. “What am I going to do with you? You need to mature, Royce. You need to take your place on the council.”

  “The council meetings are so boring, and I am not interested in politics.” She sighed and studied a work of art across the room.

  “Duty sometimes is boring but nevertheless necessary.” The queen waved off any answer her princess might give, and it was clear that she was becoming impatient with her. “So, because the Trackers and our Royal Houses are overtaxed rounding up the stray Dark Fae in Ireland and Scotland … and even England …”

  “Yes, my brother said some have escaped to England, and he went after them this morning …” she stuck in, hoping to show that she was in fact concerned about the situation.

  “Indeed, and we are even working with the Milesians, one in particular, Chancemont LeBlanc …” The queen inclined her lovely head. “I know that you have heard something of that tragic story.”

  “Yes, Trevor has just left me to join the Milesian in the effort of tracking and capturing Pestale.”

  “Precisely, my Princess.” The queen rose from her seat and took a turn in place. Royce watched her with dread. Here it comes, she thought.

  “As it happens, Princess Royce, I have decided to make you a part of their team. You have specific and extraordinary abilities that they might find useful.”

  “Me … my punishment is to team with Trevor?” Now this was beyond wonderful, Royce thought, almost clasping her hands together. Is this what she calls punishment?

  The queen’s iridescent eyes narrowed, and one delicate brow rose. “Do not think you have gotten away with your misbehavior. Indeed, little one, I am putting you in grave danger. It is time you stopped playing mother to these humans and began the business of being who you are—a Seelie Fae princess.” She waved off Royce’s objection and silenced her with a glare. “This is a mission that you must execute with purpose and determination. It is time you wake up and realize your duty to your own kind. I need you to open your lovely eyes and recognize what is important in the large scope of things.” The queen sighed and then added, “This will not be easy, child. Chancemont will not want you to accompany them, and he will not welcome you. If you wish to carry out your Queen’s orders, you will have to prove yourself to him, and I expect that you will find a way to do so.”

  Royce was so relieved that the queen was not relegating her to the middle of a mountain without power to get out—she had heard enough stories to worry about this— that she almost jumped up and hugged Queen Aaibhe. However, she checked herself and bowed her head. “Yes, my Queen … I will do as you ask.”

  About Claudy Conn

  Claudy Conn, a native New Yorker, now lives with her husband, Bob; their wolf, Cherokee; and Cherokee’s son, Rocky Man, who weighs in presently at 190 pounds.

  She loves horses and riding and raised her ten-year-old gelding Southern Pride from the moment he was born. She also loves gardening, swimming, skiing, hiking, and travel—and of course, reading, writing, but no, she says, no arithmetic!

  To get her monthly news, her reviews for all her new paranormal romances, and excerpts, come on and visit her at her website: http://www.claudyconn.com

  To see pictures of Cherokee—and her shepherd-wolf son!—have a look at her Facebook page:

  http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Claudy-Conn-Paranormal-Romance-Author/135826686471445

  Discover this and other titles by Claudy Conn at Smashwords.com:

  Risqué Regencies

  Oh, Cherry Ripe – https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/135532

  Myriah Fire – http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/109011

  Rogues, Rakes & Jewels – https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/171997

  Taffeta and Hotspur – https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/179452

  Wildfire Kiss – https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/221331

  Runaway Heart – https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/239110

  Legend Series

  Prince Prelude—Legend – https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/159840

  Spellbound—Legend – http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/96103

  Aaibhe—Shee Queen – http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/110252

  Shee Willow—Legend – http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/103389

  Prince in the Mist – http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/104045

  Trapped—Legend – https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/112028

  Free Falling—Legend – http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/92368

  Catch & Hold—Legend – http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/124602

  Shadow Series

  ShadowLove—Stalkers – https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/63037

  ShadowHeart—Slayer – http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/84350

  ShadowLife—Hybrid – http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/143173

  Time Series

  Through Time-Pursuit – https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/210166

  Hungry Moon Series

  Hungry Moon: Quicksivler – https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/257284

  Read more about Claudy Conn’s books

  Risqué Regencies

  Myriah Fire

  Myriah Whitney wants thunder and lightning, not a proper courtship and a sensible marriage. Then circumstances lead to an encounter with the mysterious Lord Kit Wimborne—in his bed, with both of them naked, no less!—and the meeting is an explosion of wills that finally sets Myriah on fire …

  Oh, Cherry Ripe

  Cheryl Elton has been in London for three seasons and refuses to be courted. When her mother takes matters into her own hands, Cherry runs!

  Rogues, Rakes & Jewels

  What happens when an eligible marquis pretends to be a rake and a gambler, and the woman he is supposed to be courting disguises herself as a masked French card dealer? Find out in this spicy, risqué Regency romance.

  Taffeta and Hotspur

  Hotspur wants Taffeta—how far will he go to make her his? Taffeta has a secret—will it land her in trouble?

  Wildfire Kiss

  Lady Babs is a rule-breaker, but has she met her match in Lord Wildfire?

  Runaway Heart

  Chelsea takes London by storm, but the only man she wants thinks she is no more than a child.

  Netherby Halls

  Circumstances have forced Sassy to take on a teaching position at Netherby Halls, a school for well-bred orphaned girls, but her developing powers as a white witch tell her something wrong, something evil, lurks there. And what about the dashing marquis who keeps appearing in her life?

  Leg
end Series

  Prince Prelude—Legend

  In this stand-alone tale and the backstory for the Legend series, we find ourselves in 1814. Gais and the prince come head to head over a woman. We will see Lamia DuLaine when she first sees Julian Talbot, and we will meet the first Maxie Reigate. Come along and see their world unfold…

  Spellbound—Legend

  Maxie is a reluctant heroine who travels to Scotland to find and save herself. Julian is a Druid priest in a modern age, and he is full of guilt—Can Maxie turn to him? Or will she turn to Prince Breslyn, a Royal Fae hunk offering her everything?

  Aaibhe—Shee Queen (Novelette)

  This is a love story but it is fringed with envy, jealousy, and bitterness—oh and more. It is laced with the havoc those devastating emotions can bring. It is about the seeds of hate born of love, and what havoc that hate can wantonly roar over even immortals. This is a story of Aaibhe, Queen of the Seelie Fae, because she deserves that it be told.

  Shee Willow—Legend

  Half-human, half-Fae Willow Lang has never felt she truly fit in either world, but she’s doing her best to ignore her Fae nature. But when she finds herself in the middle of a conflict between the Seelie Fae and the evil Dark Fae, she must embrace her Fae powers in order to protect the Human world.

  Prince in the Mist (Novella)

  Fact one: By tradition and treaty, Fae do not interfere with the human world—it is against the rules. Fact two: For a Royal Fae prince who suffers from the ennui of immortality, watching and interacting with humans—especially lovely, spirited human females—can be entertaining. Fact three: When entertainment changes to affection, and affection becomes love, rules will be broken.

  Trapped—Legend

  Magical powers, a castle, and a charming prince sound like the ingredients for a fairy-tale life, but for BJ Mulroy, reality turns out to be a whole lot more complicated. The war between the Seelie and the Unseelie is heating up, BJ has been drawn into the fray … and there’s the matter of the seventeenth-century hunk in the painting.