Crown of Betrayal (Wicked Kingdoms Book 2)

by Graceley Knox

  “Vanilla and rain.” The words whispered against the sensitive skin of my inner thigh.

  Goosebumps dance across my pale silver and emerald green skin. As his breath blows across my skin, this time closer to where I want his talented mouth, I tense in anticipation. Watching him. Waiting for his mouth to land just where I want him, I hold my breath, my eyes closing.

  The pounding on my bedroom door in staccato rhythm matches the beat of my heart jerking me out of reliving my dream.

  “Ever! Wake yo ass up! It’s your turn to drive Arela into Goblin today!” The shout is punctuated by Kirin drumming a beat on the wall next to my door. Right where my bed is, and just above my head. Fucker.

  “I’m up. I’m up, asshole!” I bang my own hand against the wall.

  Snickering as he retreats down the hall, I curse him under my breath.

  “I heard that!” he shouts.

  “Good!”

  I shake my head, a small smile resting on my lips. No matter their methods for waking me up, my crew is my family. I don’t know what I would do without them. They keep my head on straight and my feet on the ground. These past few months, I’m not sure I would have stayed sane, let alone sober, with everything that has been going on.

  From finding out about my alleged linage, to having a forbidden relationship, if you could even call it that, with a goblin, my life feels like it’s spinning out of control. Dare is sex on a stick, and a leath cine as well, but still. The goblin part made it punishable by death for anyone of elven descent to couple, have children, or fornicate in any way. My mother is full on High Elf of the Light Elven Kingdom and sister to the current Light Elven King. If that isn’t enough, it was her great-grandfather that passed the laws that forbid goblins and elves from ever being together. The same laws forbid any children from said couplings from living within the walls of Elven.

  Basically, it was a shit storm of epic proportions and to this day the elves are still holding strong to the words written by a delusional king.

  The Goblin Kingdom, however, had chosen to take another route. They took in as many of the leath cine that they could and provided them with a new home, and a safe place from elitist elven groups. Unfortunately, that peace and way of thinking took twenty years to come into fruition. Thus, MECA was born.

  Known as the Magical Enforcement and Containment Agency, or MECA for short, they were the survivors of the mass witch hunt through the Elven realms. They created their own place in the human realm since most of them were half human and decided to arm up and do as much as they could to help children who no longer had a home. More than that, they cleaned up after and caught rogue elves, goblins, and other Fae creatures. I grew up there, training and learning the ways of the Fae. Most of MECA’s elders distrust any full Fae no matter if they are goblin, elf, sluagh, or sidhe. They haven’t forgiven the full-blooded Fae for the name they had given the children they had created with humans. Leath cine. Literally translated, it means half breed. Half-goblin, half-human or half-elven, it doesn’t matter. If you aren’t fully Fae you’re treated as though you are a lesser being. And gods forbid you are full Fae, but a combination of the two flavors.

  As with most of the other kids at MECA, my crew and I were all either left there by our parents, or found on the steps with no connections as to who we truly are. Harsh, but that’s the way of the Fae. I’m hoping that recent events might prompt a change in the dealings between leath cine and the Elven Kingdoms, but I’m not going to hold my breath.

  The Goblin Kingdom had offered me and my crew a home after protecting me from my psychotic cousin. Of course, we had refused. Because I still can’t let myself believe that I am full blooded Fae. Half-goblin and half-elf. If that is the case, I’ll be hunted and killed by the Light Elven Kingdom and the same fate would befall my mother. That being said, no one could find her. So I have no idea what my true linage is, and the hunt for finding a druid to perform some sort of juju to find out is on and taking for-freaking-ever.

  Slowly climbing out of my bed covered in blankets, my feet hit the cold hardwood and I snatch them back. Gingerly, I let them touch the cold surface again. I roll my head in a circle and stretch my neck. Time to get to it.

  Picking an outfit takes me no time at all as I’ll be wearing my usual attire. Black jeans, black v-neck, and black combat boots. Not only does black keep me looking badass, it hides blood stains. Explaining why you have smears of red on a white shirt when you stop at the grocery store to pick up dinner after a day of corralling crazy Fae is harder than you would think it is. It is also apparently frowned upon to walk around smeared with blood.

  Growing up in the MECA compound, we weren’t taught many of the nuances of the human realm. We pretty much kept to ourselves and knew how to not mortally offend someone or get arrested. Outside of that, I didn’t have a job that required I converse directly with humans unless absolutely necessary. Being a Guard at MECA, and one of the best of the best they have worldwide, I’m able to come and go as I please. This allows me to live with my crew outside of the compound.

  I take a quick shower, dry off, and get dressed. Making my way down the hallway, I stop at Arela’s room. She’s in a pair of dark jeans, something she has decided she can’t live without since she discovered them. Her outfit is completed with a dark blue top that has flowy sleeves long enough to cover the top of her hands. She is also leath cine. She had been living in the Goblin realm, but was cast out by her foster family and treated as less than nothing. As soon as I met her, I knew that I couldn’t leave her there.

  So here we are, three months later. Me and my entire crew of misfits taking care of a fourteen—year-old. When I first met her, I had assumed she was much younger. Once we had cleaned her up and gotten some food in her, she filled out. Shaking my head, I grimace at the thought of how much trouble she’s going to give us with boys once she notices them. Ugh.

  “You almost ready for breakfast?” I lean against the door jamb, meeting her eyes with my own in her vanity mirror.

  “Two seconds,” she says. Her voice is quiet and sounds like tinkling bells. But hidden under her waif-like exterior is a survivor. She has been through more than most, and came out on top.

  “See you down there.” I rap my knuckles twice on the wall. I smile at her again and skip down the steps.

  I see the three goblin brothers, Dagan, Dax, and Dare, sitting at my dining room table with Doyle, Kirin, and Axel, and my smile wavers. They’re here at the order of the Goblin King. Who also happens to be their father, and a full supporter of leath cine being treated as equals once more. He says they’re here to help protect Arela outside the walls of Goblin. In all honesty, I think they’re here to keep an eye on me and my crew since we had refused shelter within the Goblin Kingdom. Our reasons are complicated, but I’m not ready to give up my position as a MECA Guard, and I couldn’t ask that my crew give up their positions either.

  As it is, MECA has no idea about my questionable bloodlines, and I want to keep it that way. If they know, I can kiss my Guard status goodbye.

  “Morning, Ev,” chorused Doyle, Dax, Axel and Kirin.

  Shaking my head, I smile at each of them before coming to Kirin and flipping him the bird. It only makes him laugh, but his reaction makes the smile on my face one that isn’t forced.

  Approaching the island in the middle of our kitchen, I start making a plate for myself and Arela. Once I have her all set, I place it at her favorite spot. The one with the view overlooking the forest that is our backyard.

  Turning, I reach for my favorite mug with the quote “I will cut you” on it. With my other hand I grab for the fresh pot of coffee and pour it inside.

  Nose directly over the steam rising from my cup, I moan.

  “Hello, my precious. Mmm, how I have missed you so in the past few hours.”

  The snort I hear coming from the table is probably from Dagan or Kirin, but I’m too busy savoring my first taste of heaven to care. The throat clearing is probably from Dare, b
ut I ignore that, too. Choosing instead to continue to drink from my cup of black nirvana.

  Balancing my coffee cup in one hand and my plate in the other, I walk to the table and plop down next to Axel. I only have to hold up my hand once when Dare tries to talk to me before I finish my first cup.

  I stand to refill my cup and grab a muffin.

  “Fucking finally,” grumbles Dare. He bites out the words through clenched teeth, his hand twitching in a fist on the table. “You have finished your first cup of that disgusting liquid. I may now speak. That is the rule.”

  “Who–”

  Holding up a hand he cuts me off. “No. Those are the rules you told me. We have things we must discuss.” He’s leaning forward in his seat, his eyes tracking my every movement.

  Coming back to the table, I sit in my chair with my legs criss-cross style. I must still be on edge from my erotic dream, because I raise a brow and wave a hand for him to continue talking, rather than answering him.

  Grunting at my gesture, he settles himself back into his chair. It’s so easy to ruffle his feathers. Here he is, six feet of solid male muscle, all-around badass Goblin Royal Guard and I ruffle him. The thought puts a wide smile on my face.

  “The King would like a word with you this morning before you head out to your first mission.” He leans on the arm of the chair after he issues the veiled command from the Goblin King.

  “Would he now?” My brows shoot up to my hairline.

  “You agreed when he allowed to let Arela continue her schooling within Goblin,” his tone is low while he speaks. His gaze focuses over my shoulder at the girl in question.

  He’s trying not to alert her to the situation at hand. He needn’t have worried. Eryn and I sat her down when she first got here and explained everything. I made a promise that she would be with me and I’m not going to let anything come between the trust we’ve built. That includes half-truths and omissions. Arela knows if you are lying, and she just seems to know things, period. Trying to pull one over on her is next to impossible, so I took away the ammunition anyone could use against us.

  “I know what I agreed to, Goblin,” I grind my teeth in frustration.

  Ugh! He annoys the shit out of me sometimes!

  “We have a line on a rogue goblin that we want to try to intercept first thing. After that I can meet up with him. That work?” I hold my hands out in supplication as if there is nothing I can do about it.

  He opens his mouth, his eyes narrowed. Before he can respond Doyle cuts in.

  “Hey, we’re capturing this goblin that your Guards have lost and no one else can find. We’re doing you guys a favor. If she says she will meet with him, she will. You know she won’t reneg.” Doyle is slumped in his chair, completely at ease.

  Dare nods curtly. Without a word, he pushes out of his chair, clears his plate, and disappears down the hallway to the bedroom he’s occupying.

  Looking to Dax and then Dagan, they both shrug at his behavior. He seems more agitated than usual. Rolling my eyes, I finish off my muffin. I save the sugar coated top for last.

  “You ready to go Arela?” I look over my shoulder at her while I put the dishes into the dishwasher. I’m becoming domesticated. It’s frightening. I hear a clatter and look to find Anarchy and Chaos, my baby gargoyles, attempting to play with the dishes still left in the sink. They think the sink is their own personal bathtub.

  I swat at the two of them and send them scampering off. Bubbles fly everywhere as they take flight. “Menaces, the both of you!” I shout after them like they can understand me.

  “Yeah, just let me go grab my bag.” Before she even finishes her statement, she’s off and running toward the stairs, Anarchy and Chaos trailing after her.

  “Hey, is it okay if we catch a ride with you into Goblin?” Pursing my lips, I turn and lean my back against the counter as I appraise Dagan.

  Why do they need a ride when they can just sift in? If you have magical poof powers, use ’em. “You can’t just poof in?” I ask, waving my hands around.

  “Sometimes it’s nice to stop and appreciate things,” he shrugs. “No big deal–”

  I let out a sigh, resigned to an uncomfortable car ride. This is the nicest Dagan has been to me that I could remember so I’ll suffer in silence. “Yeah, it’s cool. You guys ready to go?”

  Grabbing my own bag and a water bottle we all head out toward my SUV and pile in. The ride is only about a half an hour, but it feels like an eternity. Arela’s busy chattering with Dax in the back seat, telling him all about her abilities and who has what in her class. I smile at her explanation of something, but my knuckles turn white as they grip the steering wheel when Dagan speaks low. Low enough so that only I can hear him.

  “Why are you fighting him, Ever?” The him he’s referring to could only be Dare. And the fight he mentioned could only be the attraction between us.

  “Drop it.” If it was possible, I gripped the wheel tighter. My words coming out as a hiss.

  “I can’t. He’s my brother and he’s in pain.” He shrugs his massive shoulders.

  At his words, my head snaps to the side. My eyes meet his. “Pain? How is he in pain? His dick hurts?” Sneering in derision, I focus my gaze on the road ahead of us again.

  In my peripheral I see him shake his head. “It’s not my place to tell you. But you’re safe from any ramifications if that’s what’s holding you back.”

  His words are the last straw. I’m sick of people telling me what to do with my life. Yes, I want Dare. My chest feels like it’s being spread open by the Jaws of Life every time he looks at me. I have to remind myself that we can never be together. I’m not willing to risk his life, or the lives of my friends and family, for a quick fuck though. I’m not his mate, and I wouldn’t survive after knowing him and loving him only to watch him love another. I’ve worked hard to keep everyone I love safe and protected, and their needs have to come before my own.

  Cutting him a harsh look out of the corner of my eye, I pull into the entrance to Goblin. “You’re right. It’s not your place. And it’s none of your business.” At my harsh tone his head goes back a bit. Softening my tone in a rare show of softness, I continue. “Please, just let it be.” My voice hitches at the end, giving away my true feelings about the situation. I’m not indifferent. I’m scared shitless.

  Turning in my seat, I say goodbye to Arela and Dax, waving to her as she skips toward the entrance into Goblin. Anarchy and Chaos trail behind her doing flips in the air. They’ve taken to keeping watch over her when one of us isn’t with her. Knowing she has backup keeps my sanity in check.

  The last to climb out, I avoid eye contact with Dagan for as long as possible, not wanting him to see what I can’t hide. Before he shuts the door, our eyes meet and his hard features soften. It’s all I can do to not shatter right here. Gritting my teeth, I tell him to have a good day as well, and put the SUV back in drive.

  CHAPTER

  TWO

  The slap of rubber against asphalt sounds in my ears as my crew and I chase after a rogue goblin. This time it isn’t just me chasing one goblin. Turns out he has a buddy, which our intel hadn’t told us. Goody for us. It’s like double the fun, but not.

  Mumbling to myself, I forget that I’m wearing my mic. “Why do they always run?” My breath comes out in puffs of air as I pump my arms and legs harder, gaining on the goblins.

  “What do you think fugitives do, Ev? Sit there and wait patiently?” asks Kirin.

  Taking the time to flip him off as he runs behind me, I don’t bother with a verbal response. Pushing myself, I inch closer and closer to them. They are almost within reach. So freakin’ close.

  “Hustle it up, Doyle. I can’t stop them with a touch.”

  His panting comes through the ear piece I’m wearing. “Coming, dear.”

  I ready to jump on the smaller of the two goblins, both of which are built like brick shit houses. The only difference between them is one is about an inch shorter. Lunging, I shove
into his back and knock him off balance. With quick feet, I knock his ankles together with a swoosh of my foot. The bigger they are the harder they fall and all that.

  Except he reaches back and takes me with him.

  As I struggle to breathe from falling on top of him, his tree trunk arms surround me. I scramble to maneuver myself into a better position but he squeezes me tight. His arms are around my ribs, and my lungs seize with the lack of air. Cocking back an elbow, I get him in the jaw and receive a grunt for my efforts.

  I’m still struggling to suck in a breath as he continues to apply pressure. His arms clench tighter and tighter around me. I watch Doyle whizz by me, Kirin close on his heels. When Kirin sees that I’m straining for breath he changes direction and barrels right into both of us. Diving on the ground toward us, I assume his aim was to knock me out of the giant goblin’s grip. The goblin must have seen Kirin coming, because he tightens his vise-like grip around my ribs and I try desperately to suck in air. My nails dig into the flesh of his arms as I scramble for purchase.

  Just as Kirin knocks into us, I brace myself as much as I can. Turning my face away, I try to keep my head out of the line of fire and tuck my legs. At the impact, the arms around my ribs let up infinitesimally. Sucking in a much needed breath of the fresh air, I renew my struggle.

  Kirin’s trying to bash the goblin’s head against the concrete while I wiggle as much as I can to escape his torturous grip. After what seems like hours, the arms bruising my ribs go lax and I roll away. Coming up into a crouch position, I take stock of the big bastard. His face is bloody, and he’s blinking slowly, so he isn’t dead or unconscious. Just stunned.

  Nodding my head to Kirin in thanks, I stand up and look to my right. Doyle’s walking back our way, the goblin he had been chasing walking behind him docilely. His hand is on his arm, so his abilities are lending to the ease in which he brings him back toward us. Lucky bastard.

  Turning back toward Kirin, I wince at the pull in my ribs. Hand moving up to my left side, I grimace in pain as I press against my side through my shirt. I don’t think he broke anything, but he definitely bruised my ribs. If he wasn’t already subdued, I’d have kicked him simply out of frustration. Biting my lip against the throbbing pain, I bend down and slap the cold iron cuffs on him.