Prisoner of Darkness

by Nissa Leder

  Hatred radiated from Cade. Scarlett thought she was bad at keeping her emotions hidden, but Cade was so much worse.

  But his wasn’t the only jolt of feeling Scarlett sensed. Jealousy beamed from Poppy.

  Did she have a thing for Kaelem?

  No, that wouldn’t make sense.

  But what about her connection to Cade? Could Cade’s annoyance at Kaelem’s touch on Scarlett spark envy in Cade’s number one guard?

  Scarlett trailed a finger over Kaelem’s knuckles.

  More rage emanated from Cade.

  This was too fun. Scarlett absorbed the intensity of his feeling. She wasn’t the only one enjoying it. She could feel satisfaction bursting from Kaelem as well. The mixture of such strong emotion raced through her. A rush of adrenaline shot through her.

  As fun as it was to bother Cade, the more believable a couple Scarlett and Kaelem were, the better the ruse. And while hatred burned inside Scarlett for Kaelem taking her sister, the spark between them was undeniable.

  Since becoming fae, Scarlett’s emotions were all over the place. Things she knew should bother her sometimes didn’t. She thought she’d felt lust before, but now, everything was heightened.

  Kaelem toyed with her, his finger trailing up and down her leg, circling her bare knee.

  Scarlett was both relieved and disappointed when the Winter Queen spoke again and interrupted Kaelem’s touch.

  The tightrope she walked wavered beneath her. One wrong move and she’d crash and burn.

  “As tradition, tonight after dinner are the Winter Fights. The coliseum in the east wing is ready for the fiercest competitors. Everyone is invited to join us after the meal.”

  “Fights?”

  “Think Winter Court Gladiator,” Kaelem said. When she gave him a quizzical look, he replied, “My court lives in the mortal realm. I’ve studied human history. And where do you think Rome got the idea?”

  After dessert, guests rose to leave the room.

  “Should we go?” Kaelem asked.

  It would be suspicious if they didn’t, and Scarlett’s curiosity was piqued.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Raith lifted his new shirt. After they returned from the Winter Court, Sage left and came back with some fresh clothing for him. The wound was nearly gone now, but his magic still ran low. Since the attack, he’d had a hard time holding onto magic for long. He’d have to absorb power and use it quickly or he’d lose it.

  “Let me see.” Sage peeked at the injury. “Nearly gone.”

  “When will my energy return?”

  “At this rate, any day now. You’re healing much faster than I’ve seen before.”

  Raith knew why: he was of royal Summer blood. He’d been holding onto the information since Sage had saved him, but not telling her felt almost like a lie, and after she’d saved him—twice—she deserved the truth. “I haven’t told you everything about me.”

  He hoped it wouldn’t get him kicked out, but he told Sage about his bloodline and about the battle against his brother and the fact that the battle may still be ongoing.

  “It makes sense,” Sage said. “I knew something was different about you.”

  “But I have autumn gifts, too?”

  “Yes, I feel your autumn heritage.”

  Raith felt the Autumn power inside Sage, too. An invisible thread somehow connected them together. It was different—and much stronger— than the tie he felt to other Summer fae, which was strange since he knew he had more Summer than Autumn in him. Or at least, he thought so. “How is it possible I have both?”

  “It’s rare, but sometimes fae from two separate court bloodlines gain the ability to possess powers from each.”

  “My mother had nature power, too.”

  “But she was a Summer fae?”

  “I think so. I was so young when she died. She never displayed any mind power that I know of.”

  “You’ve already tapped into your Autumn power,” Sage said. “But there’s still more for you to learn.”

  “Teach me.”

  Sage nodded. “Come.”

  Raith followed her outside.

  Sage looked at a small tree next to the cave entrance. The branches shook and twisted together as the tree bent into an archway. “Now, make it return to a regular tree.”

  Raith felt for the magic inside him. There wasn’t much, but he used what was there to unbend the branches until the tree looked as it had before.

  “Changing the shape of nature is the first thing Autumn Court children learn.” Sage approached the tree. She took a branch in between her hands and closed her eyes.

  The leaves on the tree turned from green to orange to brown as their life drained away. “Next, we learn how manipulate the life of nature.”

  The dead branch leaves shifted back to orange and then to green. “Nature is living.”

  Raith stepped to the tree. He imagined the life sucked out of the leaves, but nothing happened.

  “Absorb its energy into yourself.”

  Inhaling, Raith pulled the life from the leaves, turning them orange.

  “A good start,” Sage said.

  Raith felt a high like none he’d ever felt. He’d thought his nature gift was powerful before, but he felt unstoppable. He focused on the whole tree. One by one, the leaves turned brown.

  “Now, put the power back.”

  But he didn’t want to let the magic go. With a sigh, he pushed the energy inside himself back into the tree, which returned to perfect health.

  “We take our power from the world around us, but we must also give back,” Sage said.

  “What happens if someone takes too much?” Although Raith had released much of the power he’d held, his magic remained full.

  “We are cursed.” She gestured to Raith’s side.

  “The wolves?”

  She nodded. “If someone holds on to nature magic for too long or takes too much at once, nature rebels.”

  “The shifters used to be nature fae?”

  “Indeed. But now their only gift is the ability to shift into wild beings, and they’re cursed by the moon, controlled by it whenever it’s full.”

  That was enough to keep Raith aware. He couldn’t imagine losing the power that burst inside him. Now that Autumn magic filled him, he felt even closer to Sage.

  Was it simply because they shared Autumn heritage? Or did she have secrets of her own?

  Kaelem couldn’t help but snoop inside Scarlett’s head as they entered the coliseum.

  Rows and rows of seating circled the arena below. The fighting field was made of ice. There were pieces to climb and to hide behind. Trees poked up in between the ice features.

  It was magnificent, but the games were brutal. Winter Fae especially took pleasure in violence, a manifestation of the chill that lived inside them.

  A male fae with red hair that fell to his shoulders stood on a tall piece of ice in the middle of the arena.

  “Welcome, to the Winter Games.” His voice boomed through the room. “Challengers fight with weapons of ice. It’s a fight until an opponent surrenders, and anyone here is open to challenge.”

  “Does anyone ever die?” Scarlett asked Kaelem as they took their seats.

  “The ice is enchanted. Injuries hurt as bad as they would with steel weapons, but the ice weapons’ effects aren’t permanent. You could get stabbed in the heart and, while it would hurt like hell, you wouldn’t die.”

  That was what made the games so brutal. No one held back. You could decapitate someone and they’d remain alive, separated into two pieces. Kaelem enjoyed the gore of it. He always appreciated a good game. This was a game of blood and pain. Savage and brutal. And without the fear of death, opponents were braver. And careless.

  “Please welcome our first two competitors, both members of the queen’s guard.”

  Two large male fae entered, one in a black outfit, the other in white. The fae in black held a sword, the one in white a bow and quiver of arrows—both the bla
de and bow set were made entirely of ice. The opponents met in the middle and shook hands.

  “Let the games begin,” the announcer said. Then he vanished.

  “They need nicknames,” Scarlett said. “How about Black Sword versus White Bow.”

  Black Sword darted behind a wall made of ice. White Bow lunged the other direction. From his seat, Kaelem could see Black Sword sneak around the wall and behind a tree of ice.

  Scarlett’s stare fixated on the area.

  Cade and his guard, Poppy, sat behind them.

  Kaelem slung his arm around Scarlett. The Summer King made touching Scarlett so much fun. Kaelem felt the burn of anger behind him. As a new king, Cade really needed to get a better hold on himself. By wearing his emotion so boldly, Kaelem knew his weakness.

  Would the Summer King protect Scarlett with his life?

  And if the jealousy game wasn’t already fun enough, the female guard radiated her own envy. They both kept their mind shields up, preventing Kaelem from knowing their thoughts, but he didn’t need to peek in their heads to know their desires.

  Black Sword ended up stabbing White Bow through the thigh, ending in his surrender.

  Scarlett winced as the winner pulled the sword out and blood dripped onto the clean ice. “It’s morbid.”

  “The Winter Court is known to revel in morbidity.”

  Three more sets of opponents faced off, the last round concluding with someone’s arm sliced off.

  “I think that’s enough for me,” Scarlett said.

  As Kaelem and Scarlett stood to leave, the announcer said, “That’s all of our scheduled battles. Do we have any challengers in the crowd?”

  From behind Kaelem, Cade spoke. “I challenge the Unseelie King.”

  Kaelem’s attention snapped to the Summer King. Shock covered his guard’s face.

  Kaelem grinned. “You really think that’s a good idea?”

  What was Cade thinking? It was a suicide battle. Cade hadn’t even been king a year. Kaelem, though still considered a new king, had been ruling the Unseelie Court for a decade.

  “It’s all in good fun.” The intensity in Cade’s eyes suggested otherwise.

  “Very well.”

  He’s just doing it to get to me, Scarlett thought.

  Kaelem turned around and faced her. He wasn’t sure if she’d play along, but he had to try. The temptation was too strong not to. With his back to Cade, he winked at Scarlett, then he pressed his lips into hers.

  Her soft lips returned his kiss. Electricity flickered through him. His tongue grazed her bottom lip, sending a jolt of lust from Scarlett.

  Kaelem pulled back. “For good luck.”

  Only for the ruse.

  Her response said otherwise as Kaelem absorbed her desire floating in the air.

  He and Cade were escorted to a room on the bottom floor of the arena under the seats. Kaelem was fitted in a black outfit. He hadn’t worn battle gear since his training days. He looked so much better in suits. Sigh. But breaking Winter ritual and not wearing the outfit given to him might upset the Ice Queen, and he had no intention of doing that—yet.

  There was an entire room full of weapons to choose from, but Kaelem kept it simple by selecting daggers.

  He walked out to the arena with the daggers strapped to his back. After he made it to the middle of the arena, Cade strutted out with a sword in his hand. Yes, that was right, the Summer King had an obsession with swords.

  Very well.

  After they shook hands, as was the Winter Court custom, the announcer counted down, then, when he said “Begin,” Cade hurried to cover.

  For demanding to battle Kaelem, Cade sure seemed like a coward. Kaelem reached out with his mind gift. Cade’s mental shield was raised, but Kaelem could still feel his consciousness.

  Cade hid behind a wall of ice that stood eight feet tall and ten feet wide.

  “Hiding will do you no good.”

  Cade lunged at Kaelem from around the corner of the barrier, sword out. He slashed at Kaelem.

  Kaelem ducked and pulled the daggers out from behind his back. When Cade’s sword sliced through the air again, Kaelem rolled away and continued to his feet. With his daggers held in front of his body, Kaelem stepped to the side as he circled Cade.

  “This really was such a fun idea,” Kaelem said. “I’ve been meaning to dust off my fighting skills. It’s been a while.”

  “I thought it was time the Unseelie King was humiliated.”

  “I’m sure few would complain if you beat me. Everyone loves an underdog.”

  Cade jumped at Kaelem with his sword aimed at his heart.

  Kaelem blocked the attack with crossed daggers. He pushed the sword back at Cade.

  Kaelem jumped as Cade spun and sliced at his feet, but he wasn’t prepared for the second part of Cade’s move.

  Cade’s sword slashed at Kaelem’s arm.

  Kaelem leaned back, missing the brunt of the blow, but the sword’s tip broke skin.

  A cut two inches long appeared on Kaelem’s bicep. “Well done.”

  The magic of the weapons kept anyone from dying from his wounds, but it also kept a fae’s magic from healing himself in the arena or as quickly as usual after.

  Kaelem bled as if he were mortal.

  Cade struck again. Kaelem fought him blow for blow, inhaling the wrath Cade emanated. It was delicious. The more Kaelem absorbed, the more his magic grew inside him.

  “Scarlett is a great kisser, wouldn’t you say?” Kaelem purred.

  “I don’t know how you’re manipulating her, but I know you are.” Cade cut off Kaelem’s strike to his face. “Scarlett could never care for someone like you.”

  The Summer King was right. Scarlett was only there because of blackmail. But Kaelem wasn’t certain she would have said no if he’d just been honest. Regardless, he was king of the Unseelie Court, and whether a girl could have feelings for him or not was of little importance.

  “And what did you do to her? I felt how drained you kept her when she was in your court.”

  Fury burst from Cade.

  It was exactly what Kaelem needed to break through his mental shield. As Cade swung for Kaelem’s stomach, Kaelem read his next move. Cade thrust his sword at Kaelem’s face, but he was too late.

  Kaelem’s sword punctured through Cade’s chest.

  Cade dropped to the ground.

  Kaelem hovered over him, his other dagger raised above Cade’s eye.

  “Surrender, Summer Prince.”

  Cade did, wrath in his eyes.

  Kaelem raised his hands in victory as the crowd roared.

  Scarlett had wanted Kaelem to kick Cade’s ass, but seeing Cade crumpled on the ground sent a wave of guilt through her.

  She wiped her mouth. She’d kissed Kaelem just to make Cade jealous. Seriously, when did she become so petty?

  The frenzy in the air had Scarlett’s mind high in the clouds. It filled her in a way she still wasn’t used to. It was as if she was empty without passion until she absorbed the emotion floating around her, and she’d do almost anything to keep fulfilled.

  “We have time for one more round,” the announcer said as a group of winter fae pulled Cade from the arena.

  “I challenge Scarlett,” Poppy said behind Scarlett.

  Chapter Nineteen

  No, surely Scarlett was hearing things. Why would Poppy want to fight her? It wasn’t fair at all.

  Then again, that was probably exactly why she had challenged Scarlett.

  “Scarlett is a date, not an official guest,” Kaelem said to the Winter Queen, who sat on a throne on the balcony above him.

  “There is no rule against it,” she replied with a gleam in her eyes. “The girl must fight.”

  Scarlett returned Poppy’s glare with a scowl of her own. Poppy might have years of fighting experience and Scarlett only had what she’d done to prepare for the battle, but Scarlett wouldn’t cower away like a baby.

  If she was going to lose, she’d l
ose swinging.

  Scarlett, dressed in a tight black leather fighting outfit with long sleeves and a V neckline, entered the arena. She’d selected a staff as her weapon, with a spearhead on each end. Since she had no idea how to use a sword, it was her best chance.

  After Scarlett, the announcer introduced Poppy. The crowd cheered. Apparently, they already knew who would win. Scarlett looked around into the sea of eyes peering down, eager to see her humiliated. The idea of the games fascinated her much less now that she’d turned from spectator to participant.

  What nickname would someone in the crowd give her?

  Reluctantly, Scarlett shook Poppy’s hand. Poppy’s expression screamed conceited. She had no worry and, Scarlett hated to admit, rightfully so.

  Scarlett stood no chance, but she would do what she could to not make a total fool of herself. Kaelem had said the weapons couldn’t kill, so on the bright side, she wouldn’t die.

  Scarlett raised her staff in front of her until the announcer counted down to one. Then she bolted.

  While she refused to be a coward, she also wasn’t an idiot. Keeping Poppy on her toes would be Scarlett’s best chance, and if she were going to lose, she wanted to last more than thirty seconds.

  “Run, run, human.”

  The word struck Scarlett right in the heart. Surely, Poppy meant to insult her, but it wasn’t an insult to Scarlett. It was a reminder of what she no longer was—what was gone forever.

  Scarlett darted to another hiding spot, this time behind a fountain made of ice. But to Scarlett’s surprise, running water poured down its front. Scarlett closed her eyes and felt for Poppy. Her aura drew closer.

  When Poppy was near enough, Scarlett stepped out and lunged, knocking Poppy to the ground with her staff.

  Scarlett thrust the spearhead at Poppy’s face. She missed, but hit the top of her shoulder. Better than a complete miss.

  Poppy screamed—in pain or fury, Scarlett wasn’t sure—and pushed herself up, daggers in front of her.

  “You’ll pay for that.”