Prisoner of Darkness

by Nissa Leder

  “So eager,” Kaelem said. “You’ll need to learn the Unseelie Court runs on a different schedule than the nine-to-five mortal world, but, since I was already so rudely awakened, we can start now.”

  “You can get dressed first.” Somehow, Scarlett had managed to clear her head, but his seductive gift was much stronger without clothes, and she didn’t want to risk what might happen if her mental shields fell.

  “And what would be the fun in that?” Kaelem chuckled, running a finger through the long side of his hair. “I’m going to shower first. You’re more than welcome to join.”

  “No thanks.”

  “Your loss.” He smirked and walked away.

  Scarlett couldn’t help but glance one more time before he disappeared through the bathroom door.

  Scarlett waited for Kaelem in the dining room. A brownie offered her a cup of coffee, which she hesitantly accepted. Unlike the day before, this brownie met her eyes with what she thought was a smile. As she took the mug from she said, “Thank you.”

  The brownie nodded and replied, “You’re welcome, miss.” Then it turned and left the room.

  When Kaelem joined her an hour later, he insisted they eat breakfast before her training began. Scarlett’s stomach grumbled on cue so, reluctantly, she agreed. Three brownies served them food, all avoiding Kaelem’s gaze but curiously glancing at Scarlett. After they both ate strawberry crepes, Kaelem told Scarlett to follow him.

  Finally. Maybe if Scarlett focused hard enough, she could go home in a few days. In the meantime, she didn’t want Ashleigh to worry. She reminded herself to ask Kaelem about a charger.

  “A charger wouldn’t do you much good,” Kaelem said. “There’s no cell service here.”

  He was in her mind again. Great.

  “If you don’t want me in your head, learn to kick me out.”

  I thought I was here for you to teach me, Scarlett thought.

  “I’ll teach you about your fae gifts. It’s up to you to learn to keep me out of your head. I find it fascinating to know your every thought, especially when they’re about the roundness of my perfect…”

  Scarlett interrupted. “Fine.”

  She felt for the shield she’d put up to keep the dirty thoughts from forcing their way into her mind. It was still there. Why was he still able to read her mind?

  “My mind reading and ganacanagh gifts are separate.”

  Fabulous.

  “Now, now, darling,” Kaelem said. “Chin up. Your ability to put up even one mental wall already is remarkable.”

  Scarlett wanted to believe that was true. But her body felt so foreign to her these days, the word remarkable was the last one she’d use to describe it.

  They entered a large sitting room with an entire wall of sliding doors that opened to a rectangular pool. The room was lit, but outside, darkness still enveloped the sky. Scarlett didn’t remember seeing this room yesterday.

  “This is where we’re training?” Scarlett knew he was in her head and she didn’t have to actually speak aloud, but she was determined to pretend her mind was hers only.

  “Yep.”

  “I already know how to swim.”

  “We aren’t going swimming. Yet.” Kaelem sat on a lime green sectional.

  “I know how to sit, too.” Scarlett sighed. It wasn’t like she had a choice. She plopped down next to him. “What exactly are you going to teach me?”

  “So, you chose the mysterious Summer Prince. Can’t say I’m too surprised. Raith is the sexier brother.”

  It was none of Kaelem’s business who Scarlett chose or didn’t choose. She didn’t have time to waste. Why was he stalling?

  “How was he in bed?” Kaelem crossed his right ankle over his left knee and leaned back in the couch.

  “Excuse me?”

  “I’ve caught a few flickers of the two of you…together. I’m just curious how Raith is in the sack.”

  “None of your fucking business.”

  This was stupid. Why had she thought Kaelem would actually help her? Giving her the pill had been some demented game to him, and, while she was thankful it helped her save Raith, who got them out of Faerie, she would just have to learn how to control her power by herself.

  One by one, the pool lights exploded in the pool, sending cracking noises echoing through the room. The glass chandelier in the middle of the room shattered, its pieces sprinkling to the ground like snow.

  “The first step is to learn to contain your magic when you’re mad,” Kaelem said.

  She’d done that?

  “I didn’t mean to…” She wasn’t sure what to say. She was still annoyed at his invasiveness, but she’d just destroyed all the lights around her. Scarlett considered apologizing, but bit her tongue. He’d pissed her off on purpose. Ass.

  “Your power is driven by emotion—both the emotion of others and your own. You shouldn’t use your own emotion to refuel yourself unless you’re desperate. It’s dangerous and unpredictable.” He gestured to the broken chandelier.

  What if she’d been with Ashleigh? What if she hurt her own sister? She could never forgive herself. That’s why she’d agreed to his little game in the first place. Scarlett inhaled deeply, trying to calm herself.

  “How do I keep myself from using my own anger?” Her rage mixed with fear, causing her fingers to shake. She didn’t want this. The power inside her pulsed. Why couldn’t she give it back and be human again?

  Scarlett didn’t want to be fae.

  “You need to master refueling yourself with other means, like the emotion of others. Like a starving animal, you’re most dangerous when you’re hungry,” Kaelem said. “Only instead of raw meat, you crave other things.”

  “Like emotion.”

  Kaelem nodded. “Reach out and feel for my emotional aura.”

  She’d felt the emotions of others when she was in Faerie and last night at the party, but they hadn’t been on purpose, except just that once with Teddy.

  She could do this.

  Scarlett breathed in and mentally reached around her. A line drifted from Kaelem, red in aura. Scarlett breathed it in: lust. It hit her strong, sending a shiver down her back.

  The magic in her salivated as she greedily absorbed it. More and more, the red power filled her.

  Something else filled her, too: desire. Every inch of her body longed to be touched, to feel the sensation of skin on skin.

  Scarlett’s gaze found Kaelem. With slightly squinted eyes and a raised chin, he watched her. She might not be able to read his mind, but his hunger for her was obvious. She felt for the shield that blocked his ganacanagh gift. Still up. But desire coursed through her.

  Kaelem exhaled. “Now, bring me one of the books on the bookshelf.” He gestured across the room to a glossy white bookshelf built into the wall.

  Scarlett rolled her eyes at the mundane order, but moved to rise anyway.

  “No,” he said. “Use your magic.”

  Oh, right. Scarlett chose a book with a lavender spine. She pictured it lifting. It did. She guided the book through the air, right into Kaelem’s lap.

  He grinned. “Very good.”

  Power coursed through Scarlett, from her toes to her fingers and everywhere in between. It felt marvelous—a high like none she’d ever felt. Giddiness tickled her. She noticed the fireplace next to the bookshelf. Heat rose inside her. The fireplace lit.

  Her eyes widened. “Was that me?”

  “Sure was, darling.”

  Back home, she’d tried with all her might to move the pen and it wouldn’t budge until she’d gotten frustrated. Now she felt like she could move an entire house if she tried. What had changed?

  “You fed from me,” Kaelem said, reading her thoughts. “As King of the Unseelie Court, my emotion is potent, the finest of wines.”

  Scarlett remembered the power she’d felt when she’d choked Hair Gel at the party. Sure, she’d felt strong. But this was something else.

  “Consider it a privilege,” he add
ed. “I’ve let very few souls absorb my power.”

  Thank you.

  “I can think of a few ways you can repay me.” Kaelem moved the book and glanced at his lap.

  No way.

  Kaelem chuckled. “Someday, darling.”

  Scarlett’s training session was a surprise, even to Kaelem. As king, he’d seen so many unexpected things; he didn’t know he could still be amazed. But Scarlett’s raw power and ability to control her magic so quickly awed him.

  After she’d worked on controlling her magic for another hour, Kaelem excused her and relieved some of the tension he’d built up as she’d fed from his lust.

  As he left the room, Lola found him.

  “You have a visitor,” she said. He listened to her thoughts. The Winter Queen. In the entryway. Looking bitchy as ever.

  Kaelem grunted. Why was she there? “Thank you. I’ll see her in my throne room.”

  Lola gave a small nod and turned away.

  Unexpected royal visitors to another court were rare and considered rude. Leave it to the Winter Queen to break fae code. Doing so allowed Kaelem the right to retaliate as he saw fit without abiding by the court treaties. But she knew he wouldn’t harm her, not with the advantage over him she possessed. Kaelem may be more powerful but hurting her, justified or not, would only end in his own loss.

  Kaelem evanesced to a large room with two wrought-iron thrones at the end. He sat in one. Every court had its own throne room, some rulers spending more time there than others. Kaelem hated sitting where his father had spent so much of his life. A life so still and boring was a life wasted in Kaelem’s mind. But sitting in a throne was an ego boost that so many of the rulers took satisfaction in.

  As the door swung open, The Winter Queen waltzed in.

  “Kaelem, dear.” Her long, white dress trailed behind her. Its lace sleeves elongated arms that ended in thin fingers. Three male fae followed behind her.

  “Nevina, to what do I owe this pleasure?” His tone was cold as ice, fitting for his Winter guest.

  “Can’t a queen have a friendly visit with a king?” Her platinum blonde hair was pulled from her face into a tight bun that accentuated her dark brown eyes.

  “I didn’t know you were capable of friendship.”

  Nevina held up a hand and her minions all stopped. She continued until she was a few feet from Kaelem’s throne. “Ruling can be so lonely.” She glanced at the empty throne next to him.

  “I prefer to rule alone.” He leaned back, wearing a mask of nonchalance. Kaelem didn’t like Nevina, and he didn’t want to give her any other impression.

  The Winter Queen had wanted a grip on the Unseelie Court before Kaelem had become king. She’d been after his father, and nearly had her claws into him before his untimely death. Nevina would not be deterred, and had since set her sights on Kaelem.

  But she was the last woman he’d ever take as Unseelie Queen.

  “You know, I’m a reasonable woman,” Nevina said.

  Kaelem’s jaw clenched. If he didn’t fear the repercussions, he’d have killed the Winter Queen right then and there. Her Winter power was limited while his Unseelie power was unrestricted. She’d known he was too strong to control, so she found another way. She stole something from him. Something dear.

  “I expect you’ll be joining us for the Winter Solstice,” Nevina said.

  “My schedule is already booked. Darn.”

  “Then I might feel the need to hurt something, and we wouldn’t want that, now would we?” An evil grin spread across her features, stretching from her mouth to her eyes.

  “And if I come?” Hatred threatened to break through his indifferent expression, but he swallowed it.

  “Then I’ll be merciful for your stay.”

  Kaelem had no choice. He couldn’t risk her retaliation if he turned her down. But he needed to be careful with his bargain. “If I come for the Solstice, you won’t harm what you have of mine?”

  Kaelem held out his hand. An official fae bargain.

  She pondered the agreement he was suggesting. “If you attend, I won’t harm it during the Solstice.” Nevina gave her hand to him.

  Kaelem lifted her fingers to his mouth and gently kissed them.

  Bargain sealed.

  He would go to the Winter Solstice, and he would get back what was his.

  Chapter Six

  Cade was eating breakfast alone when he felt a tug at the bond he shared with Poppy. The long dining table was filled with the finest Summer Court options, from pancakes to eggs and bacon to a platter full of fruit in every color of the rainbow. It was more food than Cade could eat in a week, let alone a single meal. At his mother’s request, he was sure.

  It had been like that all week. He’d considered asking the servants to make less, but he didn’t want word getting back to Kassandra. She had advised him that kings were superior to common fae and should act as such. So instead, Cade instructed them to take whatever he didn’t eat and divvy it amongst the merchants outside of the castle.

  Should his mother find out, he would remind her that a gracious king had the hearts of his people.

  Poppy entered the room, hand on hip. “This should be gone.”

  He knew she meant the bond. She’d purposefully tugged on it. Cade took a bite of fruit. “I know.”

  “Well, what are you doing about it?” She had pulled her blonde hair into a ponytail on top of her head, making her look even fiercer than she usually did. If he hadn’t been Summer King, he’d have feared her.

  The tone she used showed her bravery. Or stupidity, since he had the power to throw her in a dungeon or kill her if he saw fit. But he’d be stuck feeling any emotion she felt.

  “I…” He paused. He’d tried to think of any other reason the bond hadn’t disappeared, but he couldn’t. He shut the door behind her with his mind. “Come closer.”

  She obliged, annoyance spread across her face.

  “I lied to you,” Cade said. “I didn’t actually kill Raith.” Anger pulsed through the bond. “He was as good as dead, but I owed him a life debt from when we were children, so I left him unconscious to be eaten by forest creatures.”

  It didn’t sound as bad at the time, but now, listening to himself speak the truth aloud, he sounded like either an ass or a coward, neither of which he liked.

  “The loser of the battle doesn’t have to die,” Poppy said. “Plenty of kings have shown mercy.”

  “But their opponent surrendered,” Cade whispered. No one else could know about this. It would lessen his authority or, worse, remove it completely. And if his mother was right and war was on its way, he needed to have the confidence of his people. “Raith was unconscious when I left him, but he’d never conceded.”

  Poppy gawked at him. It was the first time she’d ever not had some smart-ass comment to retort. “Then you aren’t king?”

  “I am,” Cade snapped. “He was as good as dead. It was my kindness that allowed him to live.” He’d allowed her to speak freely, but he wouldn’t be told he hadn’t earned the Right of Heir. “I’m going to be making my official visits to the mortal realm courts. The bond should be weakened while I’m away, and I’ll figure out how to break it.”

  “You’ll need a guard to go along.”

  He’d almost forgotten. When his father had travelled, he’d had two fae accompany him. It broke fae law to hurt another ruler when on an official visit, but none ever went alone. “Yes, thank you. Please find two of our strongest guards to be my escorts.”

  “I’ll do it.”

  Her? He’d never heard of a female on a Summer royal guard.

  “You know I’m the best,” Poppy said. “It’s why your mother selected me to train you.”

  How would it look to the other rulers? “I’m not sure.”

  “You will choose me or I’ll tell everyone what I know.”

  What was she thinking? He could kill her for the threat. If he were smart, he would. But Poppy knew from the bond that Cade wouldn’t.
The Summer Court had never had female guards, but other courts had. Cade could be the ruler who brought the Summer Court to a new stage, one of equality between genders. His mother had stepped up to rule when his father was sick. He’d always respected women as equals. It was about time the entire Summer Court did as well.

  Poppy sighed. “The bond between us could be a good thing. If I’m on your guard, I’ll be able to feel if you’re in danger and, because of the bond, so will you.”

  “True,” Cade said. “Fine. Select one more fae and we’ll leave tomorrow morning.”

  Poppy nodded once. “Deal.”

  Cade could trust Poppy, he hoped. She was the closest thing to a friend he had. He had an entire kingdom to protect now, and, while they admired him, they didn’t truly know him. He’d been raised away from other fae children. His only playmate was his brother. They’d spent hours every day in each other’s company.

  Then they had to fight for the Right of Heir. Cade had won. He’d taken Raith down.

  And he’d killed Scarlett.

  When Cade had realized Raith might still be alive, he wondered if Scarlett could have survived, too. He’d been surprised to learn she had fae blood in her. But he’d hit her too hard, and, fae blood or not, she was mostly mortal. He wanted to believe she’d lived, but he couldn’t. Despite her betrayal of sleeping with his brother, Cade had cared for her. The thought of the two of them together was what made Cade lose control. He couldn’t bring himself to look at her dead body. A braver soul would have brought her back to the castle for burial. But not Cade. Even if he’d found the courage, his mother would have claimed it a sign of weakness.

  He couldn’t be weak—not when he had so many people to protect.

  Cade would visit the Unseelie Court, the first step to show the other courts that he wasn’t to be trifled with.

  Then he would do what he must to protect his people and be the strongest king the Summer Court had ever had.

  Chapter Seven

  Scarlett turned in front of the mirror. The sequin dress she wore was short, exposing her long legs. Magic still buzzed through her from her training session earlier. She’d never done drugs, but she imagined the high she felt now was better than anything in the mortal world.