Stolen Princess

by Nikki Jefford

  It felt like it took half of the afternoon—with no help whatsoever from any of the castle guards—but it was worth it when we found the steep stairs leading up and reached the tower.

  “Make it quick!” the guard up top barked when I told him we were special guests.

  It was a clear, sunny day that promised bold adventures waiting over the next horizon.

  I leaned over the stone ledge, staring out toward the rolling hills of Dahlquist where we’d first portaled our way into Faerie. The castle was out of sight, but I imagined it rising grandly beyond the hills.

  I pushed away from the stone wall and moved to the opposite side where forests and distant mountains sprawled out as far as the eye could stretch. To the left lay the kingdom of Ravensburg and the beautiful river district with shops and cafés lining a wide shimmering river. I would have liked to explore in town if there’d been time.

  The watchtower also afforded us a view of the castle’s courtyards. They were mostly empty since everyone was gawking inside the throne room or heading to their chambers to cast off their mourning clothes and change into festive frocks before the evening’s masquerade ball.

  Hidden in a labyrinth of tall, bushy hedges, I spotted my sister and Jhaeros locked in an embrace. Warm satisfaction filled my heart as I watched them kiss.

  Devdan joined my side and followed my gaze down to the courtyard. “I’m glad things worked out for them. Aerith doesn’t belong in Faerie. I’m sure she’s counting the seconds until she’s back in Pinemist.”

  Speaking of Pinemist…

  I turned to Devdan. “I don’t want to go home. Not yet.”

  Devdan frowned. “You want to stay in Faerie longer?”

  “Gads, no!” I made a choking sound for effect. “But I would like to visit the mortal world before my sister becomes a mother. I want to be there for the birth. In the meantime, I want to go skydiving in Switzerland, hot-air ballooning over the pyramids, scuba diving at Barracuda Point in Malaysia, motorcycling the Great Ocean Road in Australia, hiking to the top of Mount Everest.”

  A smile crept over Devdan’s lips. “I don’t know what any of that stuff is, but it sounds like fun. Mind if I tag along?”

  “Sure, as long as you keep up.” I sucked in a breath, having forgotten to take one in my excitement. “I don’t want an adventure of a lifetime. I want my life to be one adventure after another.” I gave his shoulder a playful push. “And I’d like to meet a shape-shifter.”

  I wanted to meet every kind of supernatural the mortal world had to offer.

  “We’re talking about a female shifter, right?” One brow rose over Devdan’s forehead.

  I shrugged, letting my coy smile answer for me.

  Devdan sighed. “Just promise me no kissing.”

  “But what if he’s a dragon shifter offering me a piece of his treasure for a kiss?”

  “Mel.” Devdan put his hands on his hips.

  I laughed. “Fine, but you have to promise me the same.”

  “Done.”

  His immediate answer warmed my heart and made me smile wide. I felt like the happiest female in all the realm—even luckier than the new queen. A crown could be stolen, as both Liri and Teryani had proven, but true feelings could not.

  Looking back down into the labyrinth where Aerith and Jhaeros remained lip locked, I was reminded my happiness was shared by my beloved sister.

  “Watch out, human world. Here we come,” I said to Devdan. “Besides, I think those two love doves deserve some time alone.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

  Aerith

  Jhaeros’s lips were like a taste of home and happiness as we kissed in the maze of hedges, hidden from prying eyes. He placed a loving hand on my belly. He stopped kissing me to speak but kept his lips near mine as though he couldn’t bear to pull them entirely away.

  “I have something for you,” he said.

  My eyes widening, I watched as Jhaeros reached into his pocket and pulled out the pendant my mother had gifted me before her death. I hadn’t seen it in over two years. I had given up all hope of ever finding it, believing it was gone forever.

  I blinked several times, not certain I trusted my sight. Jhaeros held the silver filigreed necklace with the blue stone to me in his hand, but all I could do is stare at the pendant.

  “How did you find it?” I asked.

  “Teryani used magic to locate the pendant. It was part of our bargain.”

  My gaze flew from the pendant to Jhaeros’s eyes. “I’m surprised she bothered with something so trivial.”

  “When it comes to you, Teryani appears to be quite accommodating.” Jhaeros raised a dark brow.

  I pursed my lips and shrugged. “Well, I am the sweetest of her sisters.”

  Jhaeros gave a grunt of amusement. “I think it’s more than that. May I?” He slid behind me. His warm breath caressed my neck as he unclasped the pendant and threaded it gently around my neck.

  It was only when the light weight of the silver and stone touched my chest that I brushed my fingerpads over my long-lost pendant.

  “Thank you,” I breathed.

  A grin split Jhaeros’s lips. “That’s not all. I asked Teryani if she could locate Melarue’s pendant as well, and she did.” Jhaeros reached into his opposite pocket and pulled out a pendant identical to mine, save for the red stone.

  Tears filled my eyes and my heart sped up, overwhelmed with gratitude and love. I launched myself at Jhaeros, squeezing him into a hug and kissing his smoldering lips.

  After we pulled apart, I touched his cheek. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

  Jhaeros embraced me before attempting to hand over Mel’s pendant.

  “You should be the one to give it to her,” I said.

  Jhaeros nodded and pocketed my sister’s pendant.

  “When we return home, I want to marry you at once. I can’t stand another night apart,” he said.

  “I’m ready,” I said, no longer craving more time alone. Being with Jhaeros filled every part of my being with joy. Besides, in another eight months or so I’d need help changing nappies. Watching Jhaeros handle a crying infant was something I very much looked forward to seeing.

  I grinned wistfully into his handsome face. I bet he’d make a wonderful father—a doting dad as kind and wonderful with our child as he was to me.

  Tonight we would leave the ball and return home together. I was determined never to part ways again.

  With reluctance, I pulled away from Jhaeros. “I must go to Teryani’s rooms.”

  Jhaeros frowned but said nothing to stop me. Teryani had hastily explained the rest of her plan to us before we left Dahlquist. It was rather genius.

  She’d told her guards to expect me, so when I arrived at her chamber, they allowed me inside without question.

  No one guarded or attended to Teryani inside her room. The heavy crown no longer rested on her head of white braided hair, but she still wore the ghastly black gown. I preferred her illusion of goodness and innocence. Seeing the harsh angles of her high, dark collar gave me chills of unease. She looked like the queen of nightmares.

  “You are not fond of my gown,” Teryani said as though reading my mind.

  “I prefer you in white,” I answered honestly.

  A smile lifted her cheeks. “I was not aware you cared one way or another.” She looked me up and down. “Black doesn’t suit either of us.”

  I folded my arms. “I had no idea you coveted a crown.”

  Teryani lifted her slender hands to her hair, touching her braid as though feeling for the crown. She smoothed her fingers along the woven strands. “It is a responsibility Liri and I must bear. As an Elmray and his twin, I accept this burden.”

  “Burden?” I asked incredulously.

  She pursed her lips. “We received reports that our cousin, Albedo, had begun worming his way into our aunt’s life. It was only a matter of time before he convinced or, more likely, coerced her into replacing me as heir of Ravensb
urg.”

  “I’m surprised she named you at all,” I said.

  Rather than scowl, Teryani smiled. “I am more loveable than Liri.”

  I quirked a brow but ventured no further comment.

  “So you entrusted Jhaeros with the task of dispensing of the queen. I know the Fae are unable to lie, but it’s not as though you’re required to hold up your end of a bargain. Why are you helping us?”

  “The male means nothing to me. I am helping you.” Teryani’s expression turned neutral as she stared into my eyes.

  “Why?” I pressed. Despite my earlier joke, I doubted sisterhood was the real reason.

  Teryani continued to gaze at me. I was just beginning to accept that she would withhold her motivation when she spoke.

  “Cirrus and Liri weren’t the only ones to love you, sweet Aerith. I do too. But unlike my brothers, I require love in return.” My eyes nearly popped out of my head and rolled over the floor like marbles. Teryani lifted her chest and gave the barest shrug. “Your male from back home was willing to kill a queen for you, so I suppose that makes him worthy of your heart.” Her gaze flicked over the pendant at my chest and a mirthful smile twitched over her lips. It was almost childlike in its sincerity. In a blink, it was gone, replaced by the cool confidence of a Fae princess destined to rule as queen.

  I had no words, only utter surprise as I looked at my sister-in-law as though seeing her clearly for the first time. I knew Jastra and Sarfina had never liked me—even loathed me. I hadn’t gotten the same vibe from Teryani, but I had figured she tolerated me at best. I never would have suspected that she loved me. What was it with Elmrays and elves? In particular, what was it with Elmrays and me?

  Lifting her head, Teryani strode to the door and pulled it open. “Send in Ella.” Teryani left her door cracked open. She swept across her chamber, taking a seat on a high-back brocade chair.

  It wasn’t long before a blonde female with pointed ears entered the chamber, closing the door behind her. She walked toward Teryani, stopping five feet from her chair to dip into a curtsy.

  “Stand beside Aerith,” Teryani commanded.

  “Yes, my queen,” Ella said.

  Ella gave me a friendly smile as she took the spot beside me. We were the same height with similar hair and eye coloring.

  “Ella is also an elf, like you,” Teryani said, doing her mind-reading trick. “Serving by choice,” she added with a wry smile.

  “Oh yes, certainly,” Ella said eagerly.

  Teryani rose from the chair she’d only just occupied. She walked over and looked between us, eyebrows pinched as she studied us. “Glamours work better when the impersonator shares common characteristics. Ella, you are to be Aerith from now on. Learn as much as you can from her in the few hours you have left. I have already told my brother I wish for you to join my household. He can’t keep our whole family for himself. I’ll send a trusted guard at midnight to return Aerith and her friends home.”

  Teryani moved swiftly away from us, snatching up a black feathered mask from her vanity before striding to the door.

  “Sister,” I called.

  She stilled but did not turn around to face me.

  “Thank you.”

  Teryani pulled the mask over her head and swept out of the room without a word or backward glance.

  As soon as she closed the door behind her, I beckoned Ella to sit as though these were my own private chambers. Words tumbled from my lips as I summarized my childhood back in Pinemist. When I reached the part about becoming a princess of Dahlquist, I tried to spare no detail, including the intimate details of my marriage to Cirrus and complex relationship with Liri. She needed to know everything if we were to pull this off. With Ella joining the court at Ravensburg, we actually stood a chance.

  In several months time, Teryani would send word to Dahlquist that, unfortunately, Ella, in the role of Aerith, had suffered a miscarriage. It was easier than Ella having to pad her belly beneath gowns as the months progressed. Nor did I want Teryani stealing someone’s baby as a pretend nephew or niece.

  I placed a protective hand over my belly. Just talking about a miscarriage made my heart constrict.

  “Who is the father?” Ella asked, leaning forward in her chair.

  “Liri doesn’t know, which means you don’t need to either,” I answered.

  Jhaeros was mine and mine alone. Even a glamour of me wasn’t allowed to share the memory of our kisses and joining.

  The moment I was confident Ella knew enough, I dismissed her to enjoy the remaining hours of the masquerade—her last night as herself before Teryani glamoured her to look like me. Afterward, I went and fetched Jhaeros, Mel, and Devdan. We returned to Teryani’s rooms right before midnight, which is where Mel shared her plans to travel to the mortal world with Devdan.

  “Just until the baby is born,” she added quickly.

  “I don’t know if the mortal world can handle you, Mel,” I said with a grimace.

  My sister laughed. “I’ll try not to draw too much attention to myself.”

  I turned to Devdan and put my hands on my hips. “If anything happens to her, I’m holding you responsible.”

  “What if something happens to me?” he joked.

  “I can live with that.” I smirked.

  “Nothing’s going to happen to us,” Mel chided. “We’ll bring our swords just in case.”

  I snorted. “Uh, Mel. I don’t think you can walk around the mortal world with a sword at your hip.”

  “Daggers then,” Devdan said.

  “They have something called a switchblade,” Mel cut in. “I saw a picture of one in a book on human weapons. It’s super wimpy looking but easy to conceal.”

  “Perfect,” Devdan said.

  He and my sister grinned at one another then high-fived.

  I groaned. “Promise you’ll be careful, and check in frequently.”

  “Of course. We’ll send these things called postcards with a picture of where we’re at on one side and a quick note on the other.”

  I wrinkled my nose. “I’d like more than a quick note. I want a full report.”

  “I’ll fill you in when we return home,” Mel said dismissively. “We’re going to be too busy to sit in one place writing you pages.”

  I shook my head. That wasn’t good enough. I’d just have to pop in on Mel and make sure she was doing all right—preferably on a warm sandy beach with yummy nonalcoholic beverages.

  “Before you rush off, Jhaeros has something for you.”

  Mel’s eyes lit up in her face. “And it’s not even my birthday.” She looked at Jhaeros expectantly.

  Clearing his throat, he reached inside his pocket and held out the red filigree pendant to my sister.

  Mel’s mouth flew open. “Oh my gosh, my pendant from Mom!” Her eyes darted to me, lowering to my chest. “And you have yours back too!”

  I nodded, grinning. “Thanks to Jhaeros.”

  My sister turned her attention back to Jhaeros. She stared at him for several heartbeats before tackle hugging him. Jhaeros’s body jerked back, but he kept his footing and patted Mel awkwardly. I could barely contain a laugh. He’d likely received more hugs today than all the days of his life combined.

  After hugging him, Mel swiped the pendant from Jhaeros’s palm and dangled it in front of her face. Devdan leaned in, squinting at the stone.

  “Is that a ruby?”

  “Who cares? It’s from my mom.” My sister stuffed it into her pocket then grinned at Jhaeros. “You’re not so bad, Jhaer.”

  He snorted. “Thanks.”

  Yep, Jhaeros was getting more than he bargained for with me. I’d talk to him about surprising Mel in the mortal world after we were returned to Pinemist. I’d miss her too much, otherwise, plus I wanted to keep Devdan on his toes. Just because big sis was knocked up didn’t mean she was out of the picture. At least Mel had her sights set on adventure travel and not a romantic getaway. She wouldn’t have the patience for sunset cruises or co
uple’s massages.

  A knock at the door silenced our group. We turned our heads and watched a tall royal guard enter.

  “I am here by order of my queen, Teryani, to send you home through a portal.”

  Mel raised her hand then lowered it. “Can you make that two portals? One to Pinemist and one to the mortal world?”

  The guard glanced at me.

  “It’s fine,” I said. “Send my sister and her friend to the mortal world first. Can you glamour their ears to look human while you’re at it?”

  With a nod, the guard looked at Mel. “Where would you like to go?”

  “Surprise me,” Mel said, grinning eagerly.

  Without fanfare, the guard opened his arms. The middle of the room seemed to wobble as the air in the center rippled.

  “Wait!” I cried when Mel took her first step toward the portal. I rushed up to my little sis and crushed her in my arms. “I love you, Melarue,” I whispered. “Thank you for coming to find me.”

  “Yeah, well, we can’t all be the hero, but at least I was part of the story.” She hugged me back and flashed me one last smile before sprinting toward the portal. “Headfirst this time!” she yelled before disappearing into thin air.

  “That’s my cue to go,” Devdan said. “Later, Princess.” He winked at me then dove in after Melarue.

  The rippling air evened out. The royal guard lifted his arms once more, and the air swelled again.

  I looked at Jhaeros and smiled. “Next stop Pinemist.”

  “About damn time.” He took my hand in his, and together, we returned home.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

  Hensley

  Fae lights twinkled from the ballroom ceiling, pulsing with the orchestra’s seductive melody. Beautiful masked creatures surrounded me, a swirl of color after the gloom of the funeral.

  I felt like a ballerina in my pink dress with its snug sleeveless bodice and sheer ankle-length skirt. A decorative crown that sparkled with pink and purple rhinestones was pinned securely at the top of my head while my hair flowed in brown waves down my back.