Chasing Aledwen: A Paranormal Reverse Harem Novel (Fated Seasons: Spring Book 1)

by Laura Greenwood

  “Good morning.” Aledwen kept her voice steady, ensuring it carried throughout the room for everyone to hear. There was no point wrestling away power, if not everyone was able to witness it. “I’d like to introduce my mates to the court.”

  There was a murmur throughout the room, though whether it was because of what she was doing, or her use of the plural mates, she wasn’t sure.

  “Daughter,” her mother acknowledged. There was a slight shake in her voice that told Aledwen all she needed to know. Her mother knew what was coming, or at the very least suspected. She hoped it wasn’t one of the men who’d told her. But she doubted it. She’d seen how angry they’d been.

  Aledwen let go of Drey’s arm, and took her seat on the throne one step down from her mother’s. She wasn’t quite sure what had happened to her, but she was suddenly particularly resentful about the way her mother had treated her throughout her life.

  Just why had she been hidden away. Well, not hidden away as such. But why hadn’t she been part of society like any good heir should be? It was like her mother had waited until the last possible moment to let her know the other fae. It had to be about keeping hold of her power, and if their theory was correct, then there was a very good reason...

  “Are you going to introduce us?” her mother hissed from the side of her mouth, but Aledwen didn’t fail to notice the worried sidelong glance she gave Cyprus, who was to Aledwen’s right, as she spoke.

  “Everyone, it is my pleasure to announce, Dreyfus of Flock Kinnon, and Brandon and Cyprus Reed,” she nodded towards each of them as she said their names, and they each turned to bow to her in turn. Drey had told her that would happen. Apparently he’d spent some time reading while he’d been guarding her mother, and found it was common practice for a fae’s fated mate.

  “Welcome to the Spring Court,” the Queen said through gritted teeth. “Do any of you wish to address the court?” This time, her voice shook, and Aledwen almost felt a perverse sense of pleasure over the fact her mother was on such a back foot. It had taken a long time to get her to this stage.

  “I do,” Drey responded instantly, taking a step towards them. He gave Aledwen a lingering look, before shifting his attention to the older woman.

  “As Aledwen’s mate, I wish to know if there are any outstanding marriage requests.”

  The Queen’s face blanched as clear panic overtook her. There was no way she could lie here. Getting caught out in a lie would be particularly bad for her right now.

  “There is a treaty that hasn’t been signed yet, requesting Aledwen’s hand in marriage, yes.”

  “And does this treaty pertain to anything else?” he asked, his dark eyes narrowed towards the throne. If it was Aledwen under his gaze, then she’d have been scared beyond belief. Then again, if it was her he was looking at, then his expression would be much, much different.

  “Yes,” her mother admitted quietly.

  “Care to elaborate?” His voice was almost as cold as Aledwen’s emotions, and she didn’t blame him. The moment the two of them, or more accurately, the four of them, let their emotions get the better of them, was the moment they lost control of the situation. Which was already proving difficult enough from Brandon’s balled fists at the other side of the throne.

  Aledwen longed to go comfort him, to let him know that it was all going to be alright. But that wouldn’t help their cause.

  “There’s a series of treaties between the elvish High Lord and I.”

  “I can corroborate.” Fane stepped forward from the rest of the assembled court. His gaze flickered to Aledwen, before turning away again. She had no idea what was going on there. But a tug in her gut told her that he was as much hers as the rest of them were.

  Only he didn’t seem to feel the same.

  “Please go on,” Drey prompted, though she knew it was all for show.

  “What do you want me to say?” Her mother’s anger rose, and Aledwen bit back a smile. While the Queen may not realise it, she was doing exactly what they wanted her to. If she was angry, then she’d likely let things slip that she shouldn’t otherwise. Which was pretty much the only way they were going to be able to catch her out.

  If Cyprus’ theory was true, then there was no doubt of her mother’s intelligence. She just hoped they hadn’t underestimated her. That would end badly. Probably with a trip down to the dungeons and an appointment with some chains. Her mother would stay clear of torture at least.

  And that was why she’d kept Aledwen away from the rest of the fae. If she ever caused a problem, then she’d be easy to get rid of because no one knew, or cared about her. What her mother probably hadn’t expected, was for her to end up with three shifters in tow. Or an elf.

  No. She couldn’t think of Fane like that. Not yet anyway. He clearly hadn’t accepted what he was to her yet. Even if the other three had already recognised. Meaning Fane probably knew already, just wasn’t acting on it, bizarrely.

  “Please tell us about your treaties.”

  “There isn’t much to tell.”

  “What’s in them?” Drey asked, his piercing eyes never leaving her.

  “That is none of your business,” her mother half-shouted. Perfect, she was just where they needed her.

  “As one of the future Consorts of Spring, I think it is.” Drey kept surprisingly calm, showing neither his anger nor his excitement.

  “You know what’s in them.”

  “Better than you do, I expect,” Drey announced loudly, causing a cascade of gasps throughout the room.

  “That’s-”

  “Completely true,” Fane broke in. “I’ve brought all of the treaties since the Princess Aledwen’s birth, and you’ve signed all but the most recent one without even asking to read it. No fae has even been remotely interested until the Princess was allowed to court.” His eyes flickered to her again, and this time there was no mistaking the protectiveness and affection that was lingering there. He was definitely as much a part of her as the others. His speaking out for her now was a good indication of that.

  “That doesn’t mean-” her mother started.

  “You could have signed away anything,” Drey pointed out.

  “You almost signed away your own daughter,” Fane added, receiving a sharp look from the dragon. He hadn’t intended for that information to come from anyone other than the Queen herself.

  However, it still seemed to have the desired effect, and the assembled fae began to titter among themselves.

  Deciding enough was enough, Aledwen rose to her feet, straightening her spin and trying to sound as confident as possible. Which would be hard, considering she was shaking inside. This wasn’t quite what she imagined would happen when she was finally allowed at court.

  “What did you gain from the first treaty, Your Majesty?” she asked coldly. Her mother looked her way, with fear in her eyes. But this wasn’t fear of Aledwen. Nor was it fear of losing her. Instead, it appeared to be the fear of getting caught. Which worried her no end. And broke her heart more than a little.

  That look told her all she needed to know. Her mother had never truly cared for her. Even the small acts of affection she’d felt over the years had just been acts to try and control her. All Aledwen represented to her mother was a loss of power. Especially now she was eighteen and would take over the Birth.

  “Well?” Drey prompted, but Aledwen waved him down. This was on her now. She needed to show the fae who she really was.

  “Masking powers,” her mother whispered.

  “Masking powers for what?” Aledwen asked loudly, making sure that the court could actually hear.

  “To hide the truth.”

  “What truth?” Aledwen pressed.

  “That I killed the previous princess,” her mother shouted.

  Shock rippled through the room, and even Aledwen was taken aback. That hadn’t been what she’d expected her mother to admit. At least not so easily, and not quite so brutally. In her imagination, the worst they were going to have to
deal with was power stripping. This was just a completely different level.

  “Leave us,” she ordered the fae, her voice scarily commanding even to herself. “And send in some of the guards.”

  The fae were quick to leave and she wasn’t surprised. They probably didn’t want to be around for the drama that was about to happen. She didn’t really want to be either. But this was her job now.

  “How did you kill her?” Aledwen’s voice shook. How could it not? She was inquiring after someone’s death.

  “It was an accident...”

  “Tell us,” she ordered.

  Slowly, she watched the Queen crumple in on herself as the words sprung forth. A hunting accident is what it sounded like, though there was no real way of verifying that. Cold fury settled in Aledwen as the whole story unfolded. Basically, they’d covered the whole thing up. Anyone who was around at the same time as the flame haired princess still saw her when they looked at the current Queen.

  “And you hid me away because...”

  “No one would have believed you were from the same line.”

  “How could you do that to a child?” Brandon half-shouted.

  “I had no choice. It was that, or let the world know what had happened.”

  “Why didn’t you just explain?” Aledwen asked. “What’s the worst that could happen?”

  “I could have been killed,” her mother spat out.

  “So you decided to pretend to be Queen instead?”

  “No. I pretended to be the princess. When my eighteenth birthday came, the true powers transferred to me, and I became the princess in truth and not just in name.” Anger seeped through every word, but Aledwen was having none of this. There had been decades in which her mother could have come clean, and yet she never had. That was more telling than anything.

  “So where does that leave us? You’re the proper Queen now, and I’m what?” She was genuinely curious, and genuinely a little concerned.

  “You’re still the princess if that’s what you want to know. The powers are ours. Is that really all you care about?” Her mother’s disgust flowed through her.

  “No. I care about our people, and not lying to them. If there’s another person waiting to take my place, then I want to know something about it. That way, I can actually have a civil conversation before they end up thinking I stole their powers, like you stole their mother’s.” She’d never been so angry in her life, and something unfamiliar bubbled under the surface. Maybe she was finally getting the magic she so needed. They did say that the truth set people free.

  “There is no one else. And if you think you’re ready for this...” her mother snarled, but backed off quickly when Drey hissed, and the twins glared at her with narrowed eyes.

  “No, I’m not ready for this. I’ve never had an opportunity to get to know our people, or learn about my position or my magic, but I’ll do a damned sight better than lying to them for decades.”

  “You think it’s so easy...” her mother started again.

  “Guards, please place her under house arrest. In her quarters please, and still deliver the necessary comforts. I’ll let the people decide what to do with her.” Her voice held strong, surprising her. She almost didn’t expect that to be the case. There was so much going on in her head after all.

  The four guards in the room nodded, and did exactly as she bid, receiving a surprisingly small amount of resistance from her mother. While they’d started getting things sorted out, Aledwen was well aware there was more to do than just putting her away.

  “Are you okay?” Cyprus asked softly, once the room had been vacated by all except her and the four men.

  She nodded, looking between them, and noticing Fane’s discomfort. She didn’t know what was going on there. .But she’d need to find out soon.

  Eighteen

  “Guess I should try the stone again,” Aledwen said once she’d calmed down a little. And she did mean a little. She was definitely still on edge from everything, and even more so because whether or not her magic would work now, could end up making all the difference.

  Slowly, she approached the stone, the guys, including Fane, trailing along behind her. She braced herself as she placed her hands on it, drawing the magic from within it. This time, something battered against her skin, wanting out. It was almost like what she’d felt earlier, but not quite.

  The stone reflected that. It sparked green in places, just like it had when it was just her and Drey, though this time, it was sparking a little bit brighter. Because of the twins? That seemed likely. Which meant she was probably right about the real link between her and Fane. Now all she had to do was get him to see that too.

  Aledwen let go of the stone, and the little lights faded to nothing.

  “Fane?”

  “Yes, Your Majesty.”

  “Is there a reason you’re not acting on the mating bond between us?” she asked outright, trying to meet his eyes, but failing. Mostly because of him. The elf was still doing everything possible to avoid looking at her. There was definitely something else going on.

  “I don’t know what you mean.”

  “Really?” Drey interrupted. “Then why are you refusing to look at her?” He sounded amused, and Aledwen held back a smile. Drey would definitely be an asset if she just needed someone to come out and say something. Though maybe not if tact and diplomacy needed to be engaged. She wondered if dragons were all like that. It could explain why the dragon wars were happening still. That was still perfectly ridiculous in her eyes.

  “I shouldn’t be looking at what isn’t mine,” he answered instantly, drawing a barking laugh from Brandon.

  “That’s an archaic rule, Fane. It’s not going to wash with me. Now, tell me the real reason.”

  “I can’t, Dwen.”

  His use of her shortened name shocked her a moment. The only people who’d ever thought to use it were in this room, and it was odd hearing it from someone who always came across so formal.

  “Leave, please,” Aledwen told the others.

  They each kissed her on the cheek as they left and she caught herself smiling. She could definitely get used to the amount of small indications of love and affection. It was kind of a lot to take in compared to how little she’d received up until now. But that didn’t matter. Deep down, she knew how true their feelings were.

  “You wanted to talk to me alone?” Fane asked, his voice shaking slightly.

  “Yes. Will you tell me why you won’t accept it now?”

  “No.”

  “But it is there.” She didn’t ask. There was no question as far as she was concerned.

  He stayed silent for a little too long. “No.”

  “Very well. Tell me about the High Lord.”

  “Why?” Fane frowned at her, but she ignored him, moving over to sit back on the smaller of the two thrones. She didn’t sit formally though, instead, she leaned backwards, making herself comfortable.

  “Just because my mother is mostly dealt with, doesn’t mean the High Lord is. He’s still going to pose a problem. And if what you’ve said is true, he still has the magic that should be a part of me. And still wants to marry me.”

  “I don’t know what you want me to tell you.” He sighed, and slumped against the wall next to the Birthing stone.

  “The truth.”

  “He’s my brother,” Fane blurted out. “Telling you feels a little bit like a betrayal.”

  “Oh.”

  “Yet there’s part of me that wants to. You confuse me, Dwen. Every part of me is begging to be near you, and I want to listen, oh so badly. But my sense of duty says I can’t. That betraying my people will end badly.”

  She stared at him, not quite sure how to process that one. Or what to do about it.

  Rising from the throne, she moved towards where Fane was sitting, and slumped down next to him. There wasn’t much space between them, but she was respectful in leaving a small gap, even if she didn’t want to.

  “Can elves really
deny a mating bond?” she asked, genuinely curious if that was the case.

  “Yes. It’s one of the few powers we have. But...” he trailed off, the hand she could see shaking. Without thinking about whether it was a good idea or not, she leaned over and placed one of her hands over it.

  “But?”

  “It hurts. I’m really feeling it. My body wants me to get further away from you, or to give in to it.”

  “And you’re still going with the latter option?” She sighed. While the last thing she wanted to do was push him into something he wasn’t ready for, she was also dimly aware that their bond remaining unsealed was likely the reason her magic wasn’t working.

  “Yes.”

  “Even though that’s what keeps my magic locked away?” She wished she hadn’t just thought about it, then the words might not have slipped out. But even so, the words needed to be said.

  “You want me to choose between my loyalty to you, and my loyalty to my brother?” he asked, shock covering his features.

  “Of course not. I’m sorry, please forget I said that.”

  “Doesn’t make it less true though.”

  “No.” Tears pooled in the corners of her eyes, and she swiped them away. Now wasn’t the time for them.

  “I’m sorry, Dwen.”

  To her surprise, he leaned over, and cupped her cheek in his hands, smoothing his thumb across her skin. The tension built between them, and she wanted more than anything to kiss him. But unlike with the others, she knew that he needed to come to her. Especially if it accidentally sealed the bond he wasn’t on board with. That wasn’t how she wanted to win her final mate.

  How she knew he was the last one, she wasn’t sure, but there was a point in time where trusting her instincts seemed to be the good way to go.

  Tentatively, he pressed his lips against hers, kissing her softly. It was tender, undemanding, and the promise of many more kisses to come.

  Except that it wasn’t. Aledwen pulled away, knowing this wasn’t what he actually wanted.

  “We need to stop,” she whispered. “I take it a kiss doesn’t seal anything for you?” Her voice cracked, and she almost regretted it. But showing her vulnerability seemed safe.