by Alex Rivers
Flecks of sunlight danced over the mossy earth, still damp from the night’s rain. I breathed in the smell of damp soil. My late-morning wine buzz was working out quite nicely here. In the peace of this pathway, it seemed hard to believe we were on the verge of war.
I felt a sudden desperation to freeze us in time—just Roan and me, walking alone in the sunlight.
Roan glanced back at me. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. I didn’t expect to find the Court of Mirth outdoors, but I’m glad it is.”
“The real court lies in Trinovantum, but the Mirth fae are often found near London. They like to drink and enjoy the happiness of humans. They never stay in one place for long, but they are drawn to the parks and forests.” His voice was calm, but his body looked positively rigid, and I had the sense that something heavy weighed on his mind. I had to wonder how this felt to Roan, to visit the courts of the families that remained, while his had been brutally smashed, slaughtered. Uniting the six courts was a heavy task for him. He was the last remaining survivor of the Court of Lust. If it hadn’t been for that rebellion centuries ago, Roan would have had the company of an entire court like this—a palace in Trinovantum, mansions full of the Taranis family.
But they were gone. His entire family had been slaughtered centuries ago. Did he feel survivor’s guilt? My heart ached for him.
He slowed his pace to match my own, his arm brushing against mine.
“Is everything all right?” I asked.
“I’m just a bit concerned.” His voice sounded steady, but again, a deep line etched between his eyebrows. “A lot lies on this meeting. We need the House of Ernmas by our side.”
“They were your allies during the rebellion, weren’t they?”
“Not all of them, and we’re asking them for something different now. We’re asking them to ally with the rest of the courts as well. The Courts of Sorrow and Fear, who tormented them for centuries.”
“Will Elrine help you?”
“Yes. She’s one of the most powerful leaders in her court.” He met my gaze. “But I need you here, too. You must stand tall as the Mistress of Dread. You are our weapon against the Seelie, your powers will tilt the war in our favor.”
“What powers?”
He shot me a sharp look, and touched the small of my back, leaning in to whisper, “The powers everyone believes you possess. They have to believe that we have a plan. That there’s hope in the future. Or this alliance will never happen.”
I swallowed. I felt like I was walking on a tightrope over a deep chasm. “Roan, they’ll find out eventually.”
“It’ll buy us time.”
Strange music suddenly began to fill the air—pipe flutes, chirping cheerfully, accompanied by the soft music of a harp, filtering through the air.
As the music grew louder, the path opened into a clearing—an enormous glade full of fae, dressed in clothing that glimmered in the sunlight. With his hand on my lower back, Roan guided me deeper into the clearing. Here, fae wreathed in wildflowers drank from wooden cups in the blinding sunlight. Others danced, laughing as they spun around each other. A riot of wildflowers carpeted the ground—violet harebell and cornflowers, pink foxglove, golden lady’s bedstraw, crimson field poppies—the colors dazzled my eyes.
I stared as two satyrs pranced past us, playing their flutes. A small pond filled the middle of the glade, a bubbling stream spilling into it. Red lilies floated on the pond’s surface.
My stomach clenched. “Blood lilies.” Last time I had encountered them, both Roan and I had lost control—nearly killing each other before lust stopped us.
Roan leaned down to whisper in my ear. “It’ll be fine. Just don’t get too close to the pond. I’ll be back in a moment, okay?”
I nodded, shielding my eyes from the glaring sun. As he walked away, Roan’s towering body cast a long shadow over the wildflowers, and I realized for the first time that his horns showed up in his shadow. While I was staring at that, I hardly noticed all the fae heads turning my way. Away from Roan, my pixie emotions signaled like a beacon to all the other fae.
Crossing my arms in front of my chest, I stared ahead as I walked to the far side of the clearing. Away from the central hubbub, the crowd of fae grew thinner, but one tableau caught my eye. A man—a human man—stood between two fae, one male and one female. The human stood a foot shorter than the fae, his cheeks flushed as they caressed his neck. An uncontrolled giggle escaped the man’s throat.
The fae male—a lithe creature with violet hair—stroked the human’s cheek. “It’s something, isn’t it? Human happiness?” He turned to look at me, his purple eyes meeting mine. He sipped from a wooden cup ringed with bluebells.
“I wouldn’t know.” I shrugged. “I’m more partial to human fear.”
His smile widened. “You’re Cassandra! The Mistress of Dread! I have to say, I imagined you… larger. With darker hair. You don’t look very scary.” He moved closer to me, his bare feet pushing down the wildflowers. His pointed ears poked through his long hair.
I nodded. “Mistress of Dread, at your service. And you are?”
“I’m Lord Fuloran.” He frowned. “So… you’re her, then? The one who killed the Rix? Who helped overthrow the king?”
“That’s right.”
He cocked his head. “Can you show me?”
I blinked. “What?”
“I want you to strike me with fear.”
Oh, for the love of God. “I’d… rather not.”
“Oh, come on. I can take it.” This time when he smiled, his canines glinted in the sun. “It must be quite a rush.”
A flash of cherry-red in the corner of my vision caught my eye, and I turned to see Elrine walking toward us. A welcome distraction. Once again I was struck by her beauty, her crimson hair tumbling over a sheer indigo gown.
She smiled sweetly, crossing to my side. “Lord Fuloran, I see you’ve met Cassandra.”
“My lady Elrine.” Fuloran quickly bowed his head. “I want our pixie guest to strike fear in my heart, yet she hesitates.” He smiled, as if it were some joke. “Perhaps she doesn’t know how brave the men of Ernmas can be.”
“Perhaps.” Elrine nodded. “Or perhaps she just can’t believe how stupid they are.”
I stared at her. Where had that come from? The sweetness melted away from her face, leaving nothing but disdain.
Fuloran blanched. “Lady Elrine, I must—”
“Just yesterday, the Mistress of Dread killed two Seelie warriors with a small knife. Then she struck fear in the hearts of a dozen more, leading us to victory. I have seen her paralyze fae with fear. I have felt her powers myself, and it was weeks before I could sleep at night without waking up screaming.” Elrine narrowed her eyes as she took a step closer to him. “Some of the fae who felt her wrath died of fear. You want to feel it, just an inkling? That’s a good idea. Cassandra, show Fuloran what you can do. The men of Ernmas are very brave, after all. He’ll only piss himself a little.”
“No need!” Fuloran held up his hands. “I was only jesting with our esteemed guest. My ladies, if you would excuse me…” He hurried away.
I let out a long breath. “Thanks.”
She didn’t meet my gaze, staring at the cherry blossom trees. “Lord Fuloran is the worst gossip in the court. By this time tomorrow, everyone will know that you killed six Seelie warriors with a spoon, and that you can turn men to dust just by looking at them.”
Elrine, I was sure, knew about the loss of my powers. “I’ll have to work on those skills.” I cleared my throat. “It was nice of you to say those things. I know you don’t like me very much.”
She gazed at me, then her eyes slid away. “I can set aside our differences for the greater good.”
I nodded hesitantly.
“Come.” Elrine nodded at a path into the woods. “I’ll introduce you to the head of the House of Ernmas.”
As we walked, I saw shadows moving in the periphery of my vision, whirling like res
tless spirits, but when I turned my head, the movement stopped. I followed Elrine over a mossy path, the air cool and heavy around us, until golden rays of sunlight interrupted the shadows. The sunlight streamed over a female fae who sat atop an oak throne, her golden hair cascading over a gossamer green gown. From the sides of the throne, oak leaves grew upward, reaching for the sunlight. Her gray eyes pierced me. Around her throne, courtiers stood, their clothing and hair threaded with wildflowers.
We stopped a few feet from her throne. While I was mulling over the correct protocol for addressing a lady of the Mirth Court, Elrine mercifully saved me by cutting in.
“Lady Ernmas,” Elrine said, bowing her head. “This is Cassandra of Weala Broc, the Mistress of Dread. Cassandra, this is my mother, Nyfain of Ernmas, the head of the Court of Mirth.”
“Lady Ernmas.” I gave a quick head bow, just like Elrine’s. So Elrine was the daughter of the head of the court. Did she have any siblings, or was she heir to the throne?
Looking at Nyfain, I could suddenly see the similarities to Elrine. The same straight nose, same regal posture, same gentle waves in her hair. A crown, wreathed with wildflowers, sparkled in her hair. She smiled serenely.
“I’ve heard a lot about you, Cassandra of Weala Broc.” Nyfain’s rosy cheeks shone in the sunlight, and laughter danced in her eyes. Still, I couldn’t quite read her. I had the strangest feeling she was laughing at me. What had she heard about me, exactly, and did she resent me as much as her daughter did?
Lady Ernmas tapped a finger on the arm of her throne, her emerald ring glinting in the sunlight. “My daughter told me that you saved her life yesterday. She said she owes her life to you for more than one occasion.”
“She’s exaggerated, I assure you.”
Nyfain’s laughter echoed off the oaks, a light sound like the tinkling of bells. “Did she? My daughter does have a tendency for drama, but she usually exaggerates only her own deeds, not the deeds of others.” She covered her mouth with a hand as she laughed.
Elrine’s face was also a mask of marble, but I almost winced at the jab. Nice lady.
Nyfain glanced at me, her face a picture of mockery. “And I understand that you and Roan of Taranis want to create an alliance. The six courts of the Unseelie, united together in a Republic after thousands of years.”
Speaking of Roan, where the hell was he? He’d stranded me here with an asshole. “Yes. The Seelie threat is—”
“Child. How old are you?”
I blinked. “What?”
“How old?”
“Not… very old by fae standards.”
“Or by human standards, am I right?” Around her throne, her courtiers laughed.
I folded my arms. “Not particularly old.”
The serene smile never left her lips. “Then I suppose you could not imagine the hundreds of years of pain and humiliation inflicted on us by your Weala Broc kinsman, and the house of Arawn? Surely Roan Taranis has explained it to you. He hates your kind as much as I do.”
Okay. Why the hell was I here? Nyfain of Ernmas clearly hated everyone with Weala Broc blood, and I didn’t think I had the charm required to make her forget hundreds of years of humiliation.
In the absence of charm, maybe cold, hard reality could snap her out of her resentment. “I understand. You hate the Weala Broc, and the Arawn. We’re not going to change that. But if we don’t unify for now, the Seelie will kill us all.”
For the first time, her smile faded as her pale gaze moved over my shoulder. Roan was approaching behind me, striding purposefully along the path.
Nyfain stared at him. “Lord Taranis, the last of your court.”
He bowed his head. “Lady Ernmas.”
A smile curled her lips again. “I understand you would like us to join forces with the terror leeches—you, of all people. If I recall correctly, not long ago, you wanted to slaughter them all.”
Roan pointedly met my gaze. “I want us to join forces with the terror fae. It’s true. No one has hated their court more than I, but the Seelie are united. We are not. If we don’t change that, we will die at their hands.”
Blunt. I liked it.
Nyfain arched her eyebrows. “We of the Ernmas line have Seelie blood in our veins, after all. Perhaps we should side with the winners.”
Roan shook his head. “They will not view you as Seelie, and will not share your belief about your shared blood. To them, we are contaminated, not much better than animals.”
For the first time since I had met her, Nyfain’s face betrayed her as a spasm of anger flashed across it. “You’re forgetting yourself, Taranis.”
Roan acted as if she said nothing. “Together, we have the strength to defeat them. But we need your support.”
“Trodden down by the stronger houses, as always?”
“No. Standing above them.”
“The other courts will never agree to—”
“Yes, they will, my lady.”
She looked at him carefully, and I had a sudden feeling that I was missing something important.
“Perhaps.” A sliver of warmth entered her voice. “Perhaps an agreement could be made between us after all.”
“That would please me,” Roan said, but his voice sounded heavy with something. What was I missing?
Nyfain nodded. “If you can make that happen, we will join your alliance.” She rose from her throne, looking at the three of us, that smile curling her lips. “We’re finished here. Goodbye.” Before she walked away, I saw that her smile had widened into a full, mirthful grin.
I narrowed my eyes at Roan. “What exactly did you just agree to?”
Roan’s emerald gaze met mine. “Cassandra, I need a moment alone with Elrine.”
I stared at him. Of course he did. All his planning and machinations happened with Elrine, and I was just the soulmate tag-along.
Elrine stepped closer to him, sliding her hand into his. Blood rushed to my face. This was bullshit.
Roan pulled his hands from Elrine’s, his brow furrowed as he looked at me. “I’m sorry. It’s important. You have to trust me.”
“Whatever.” I turned away, my jaw clenched.
I pushed my way through the crowd, my thoughts churning. Goosebumps rose on my skin, and the hair began to raise on the back of my neck, though I wasn’t sure why.
I had no idea why he’d even brought me here. He’d said I was important, that he’d needed me by his side—but Elrine provided his counsel. Frustration roared through my veins. What had they been talking about last night? Roan hadn’t bothered to tell me. What was I doing here, among the fae, anyway? What kept me here? Maybe I should return home, join the human realm again.
I hadn’t even realized that I’d been storming toward the pond—the one dappled with blood lilies. As my gaze locked on the crimson flowers, like droplets of blood over the water, I felt my canines lengthening, and sharpened claws sprouted from my fingertips. The temperature around me dropped, and a cold wind blew through my hair. Now, when I thought of Elrine and Roan, the frustration and disappointment had dissipated. Instead, I felt only cold, wild rage. I wanted to drag these claws through Elrine’s neck.
Around me, faces turned in surprise as the fae tuned in to my fury. Their mouths dropped as a wave of my ferocity hit them. Some edged closer, the sunlight streaming over their wildflower-laced clothing. They began to surround me. They blocked my way, their shadows closing in on me, trapping me.
My breath left my lungs. Nowhere to go.
My heart thundered as fear began to take root, replacing the anger.
A cold sweat dampened my brow. Trapped—no exit, no way to leave, faces everywhere, no one I knew. I needed a way out, always had to have a way out. I couldn’t be trapped again, not ever. My mind searched for options; fight or flight, fight or flight.
Fight.
I reached for my stiletto, fixing my gaze on the closest fae, a man with pale blue hair.
A strong hand closed on my wrist.
�
�Not here,” Roan whispered. “Not now. We’re here to form an alliance.”
Alliance. Right.
I stared up at Roan, my fear slowly abating. “We should go. And then you can tell me what the hell is going on.”
He nodded, his hand on my back protectively as he led me away from the crowd. When I turned to look back at the crowd of fae, I caught Elrine’s eye. She glared at us, her brow furrowed, her lips pressed together in a thin line. Now, the fury emanated from her.
Chapter 6
In the car—a Porsche Roan had borrowed from someone—I clenched my fists, frustration still coiling through my chest. I couldn’t escape the feeling that I wasn’t part of the exclusive Roan-Elrine club.
Roan revved the engine. “I hope you’re ready for another alliance meeting. We must speak with Lord Balor, of the Court of Rage.”
I buckled up my seatbelt, still stewing about our last meeting.
Rage felt about right for the moment.
Roan obviously felt my emotions emanating from me, because he studied me carefully before he spoke. “There are things I need to tell you. I know. But we have about four minutes before we get to London’s Court of Rage, and I need to prepare you for this.”
I cleared my throat. “Right. But just so I’m clear, what is it you want to fill me in about?”
“About an alliance between the courts of Sorrow and Mirth. I’ll explain after this meeting. But right now, what you need to know is that the current Lord Balor is the son of Gormal Balor.”
“The man I mercy-killed in the spider’s interrogation room.”
“About that. I don’t think you should bring that up.”
He was taking us on a wide road between two green expanses of park, and I stared out the window. “He asked me to slit his throat.”
He nodded. “I know that, but fae from the Court of Rage can be… well, unpredictable. Especially the males.”
“Why exactly am I coming to this meeting? Why isn’t Elrine coming?”
“She’s not needed right now, but you are. Without you, I have no chance of convincing Lord Balor to join us.”