Kingdom of Future's Hope (Royals of Faery Book 4)

by Hayley Osborn

  Kingdom

  of

  Future’s Hope

  ROYALS OF FAERY

  BOOK FOUR

  Hayley Osborn

  Lexity Ink

  Publishing

  Copyright © 2021 by Hayley Osborn

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

  Publisher’s Note: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination. Locales and public names are sometimes used for atmospheric purposes. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, or to businesses, companies, events, institutions, or locales is completely coincidental.

  Book Layout ©2019 BookDesignTemplates.com

  Cover Design ©2021 Covers by Combs

  Editing by Melissa A Craven

  ISBN 978-0-473-58117-6 (ebook)

  ISBN 978-0-473-58115-2 (paperback)

  ISBN 978-0-473-58116-9 (hardcover)

  Contents

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Map

  One

  Two

  Three

  Four

  Five

  Six

  Seven

  Eight

  Nine

  Ten

  Eleven

  Twelve

  Thirteen

  Fourteen

  Fifteen

  Epilogue

  Free Prequel Novella

  Acknowledgments

  Also By

  Get in Touch

  Apart from my children, no one else ever notices when I dedicate a book to them, so this time, I’m dedicating it to someone who will read it.

  This book is for you.

  If you read this dedication, then this book is for you.

  I’m just grateful to dedicate it to someone who has taken the time to read it.

  ONE

  Lord Sawyer Whitesky of the Spring Court stood in my throne room looking up at me with his mouth gaping. Last in a long line of disputes I’d settled today between members of the Seelie Courts, I’d hoped his might be the simplest, but as his face morphed into indignation, that seemed unlikely.

  I raised my eyebrows, speaking before he had the chance. “You seem surprised by my decree, Lord Whitesky.”

  The man lifted his chin until his greying beard no longer rested against his honey colored shirt. “Of course, I’m surprised. What you’re suggesting is outrageous.” I shifted with purposeful movements in my chair—my throne—and met his eyes. He quickly added, “Your majesty.”

  I wasn’t sure I’d ever get used to that title, or any of the hundred other titles that seemed to come my way as the Seelie Queen. It had almost been a full year since the night I left Unseelie—since the night I last spoke to Fergus—and still anytime anyone used that title or anything like it, I had to force myself not to look over my shoulder in search of Queen Rhiannon, or even King Aengus.

  I blew out a long breath and spoke with all the calm I could muster. “Are you really asking for the Lord of the Summer Court and the Lord of the Court of Light to be whipped because you believe they are stealing Spring Court land at the borders?”

  He gave a single and resolute nod. I clasped my hands together to stop myself from running them down my face. Better he not suspect I found his request ridiculous, though not unexpected. He’d been making the same request since the first moment I sat on the Seelie throne, which was mere days after his father died, and he inherited the title of Lord of the Spring Court. “They are not stealing your land, Lord Sawyer.”

  He took a step closer to the dais, his feet sinking into the plush length of silver carpet running from the door all the way to the throne. This was not the same room where I’d first visited Rhiannon. I’d had that room stripped bare and those items burned, and had then bolted the door. I refused to use the place where that woman had spent so much time torturing her subjects. My throne room was smaller, with not a speck of red to be seen anywhere within, which suited me fine. The walls were white with accents of silver, the curtains black, and the throne itself was silver with the plush seat, back and rolled arms made from boysenberry wine velvet. The only other hint of color within this room was the wall at my back. After pressure from Selina, Father, and Everleigh to put a little more of myself into this room, I’d relented and allowed that one wall to be painted a shade of pink so pale it was almost white. That, and the velvet on my chair, were a nod to my magic. I would never have allowed Queen Rhiannon’s colors in here, but it turned out that every color anyone suggested brought back memories of the night she died; of magic flaring and rocks falling, and Mother. I preferred not to remind anyone, least of all myself, of that night.

  Lord Sawyer shuffled his feet. “With respect, your Majesty, it is not a lie. The borders to the Spring Court grow smaller, whilst the surrounding courts grow larger. You’d know this if you ever left this castle.” Lord Sawyer was still testing the best way to communicate with me. His father had held onto the title with both hands until the final breath left his body. He hadn’t taught his son anything before he died.

  Selina and Father, each standing on either side of me, stepped forward together, their stance menacing. They both looked fierce on days when I held court and they wore the formal uniform of the staff of the Seelie Kingdom; black pants, high boots and dark grey tailcoats with boysenberry wine edging around the hem, cuffs, and lapels. Each of them had a sword strapped to their waists, and both could wield it better than many in the kingdom. Selina, my childhood friend and most trusted confidant, spent all her spare time in the training ring, and her sword was like an extension of her body.

  It was little wonder Lord Sawyer took a stumbling step back.

  When Selina spoke, her voice was steady and slightly intimidating—exactly as I expected from my personal aide. “Queen Briony has travelled to each of the Seelie Courts during her time as queen. Many times.”

  Lord Sawyer nodded. “Of course, of course. I didn’t mean—”

  “Oh, but you did.” I didn’t need to look at Selina to know there would be a smile on her face that didn’t reach her eyes. I couldn’t ask for a better second in command. She’d do anything to help me, including putting a lord in his place. Not that she’d wanted to accept a role in my court. She’d thought her human heritage would mean no one would listen to her. But after I argued she had some fae in her blood thanks to her great-great-great-grandmother, and pointed out her magic grew stronger by the day, she agreed to take the job. Her growing magic and usefulness with a sword meant her fears were unfounded and the Seelie respected her.

  Another nod from Lord Sawyer, this one so fast it seemed his head might fall from his shoulders. “My apologies if it seemed that way. It was not my intention. I just need you to understand.”

  The quiver in his voice elicited sympathy from me. Though it had been many sleeps since Queen Rhiannon graced this world, her legacy still existed. Even now, the Seelie were terrified of me, no matter that I was more accessible and far less cruel than Rhiannon ever was. I hated it, and every day I attempted to change it. If only they’d see I was not as ruthless as Rhiannon.

  I drew a deep breath. “You must surely understand how this looks for the Spring Court. In the last rotation of the moon alone, Spring Court fae have put knives through tw
o Summer Court fae and another five from the Court of Light. They have killed livestock belonging to the other courts and set fire to a barn within the Summer Court. All unprovoked.”

  Lord Sawyer stepped forward again, eyes beseeching. “It wasn’t unprovoked. They are using our land as if it were their own.”

  The urge to run my hand down my face made my fingers curl into the arms of my chair. Father and Selina had both checked the borders after claims like this from the Spring Court, and both returned saying there was no evidence of borders being breached.

  I pushed up from my throne, eager to end this meeting. And end it in a way that would not make an enemy of the lord. The only way I could see that happening was if I checked the border myself. “Very well, Lord Sawyer. I will make the journey and check your borders. But you must instruct your people to stop the injuring, killing and burning until I have the opportunity to get there. If it does not stop, I will have to take action. And I guarantee you will not like the action I take.”

  The Lord of the Spring Court nodded. “Of course. And do I have your word that you will check the borders soon?”

  I was coming to believe this man thought he could bully me into doing exactly as he wished. He would not receive any such promise from my lips, though in truth, I intended to leave for the border as soon as possible. “I will do it the moment I have time.”

  Lord Sawyer’s mouth dropped open as if he meant to argue, then snapped shut as he thought better of it. He bowed from the waist and allowed the throne room attendants to escort him from the room.

  With a sigh, I started for the other exit, eager for a few minutes alone in my rooms, but Selina stopped me with a hand on my shoulder. “There’s one more, your Majesty.”

  I turned to the door to see a child standing there. He looked to be about ten years old, with fiery hair and a freckled nose.

  “I need to speak with the queen,” he blurted.

  I hid my smile. No one else in Faery, except family, spoke to me now without first bowing. This was a pleasant change. “I am Queen Briony,” I confirmed, stepping forward off the dais to meet him. “And you are?”

  “Wolfe. Whitesky.”

  My eyebrows rose. “Any relation to Lord Sawyer Whitesky?”

  He nodded, eyes on the ground. “He’s my father.”

  “Well, you’ve just missed him. And he and I have concluded our business.” I turned to leave.

  “But I need to speak to you.” His tone was beseeching.

  I rarely dealt with children at court, but something in his voice made me stop. I returned to my throne, sitting before I spoke again. “Very well. What is it you need?”

  He shook his head, curls flying around his face. “Alone. I need to speak to you alone.” He twisted his cap in his hands.

  Selina and Father both stepped toward the boy together, their movements bringing them beside my throne. Wolfe shuffled back as Selina spoke. “Queen Briony does not see anyone in private at court. Especially children.”

  Wolfe’s face fell.

  Selina dropped onto one knee, her voice gentle. “I’m sure your father will be very proud that you’ve come here to assist him, but the matter is settled. There’s nothing more you can do. Come.” She beckoned to the boy and started for the door his father had left through. “I’ll take you to him, now.”

  I sank down on my bed and kicked off my dainty silver shoes with the ridiculously high heel. I’d have given anything to wear my riding pants and boots at court as I heard my kingdom’s problems, but it was a fruitless wish. When the people came to see the queen, they wanted to see someone who looked like a queen, which meant jeweled dresses, coifed hair and dainty, uncomfortable shoes.

  I was tempted to fall back against the pillows and close my eyes. I held court one full day every week, and every week I could barely keep my eyes open after. But if there was one thing I’d learned over these past months as a queen, it was there was rarely time for napping during the day—some days there wasn’t much time for napping at night, either.

  Dinner tonight was with guests from the Summer Court, including Laoise and Ruby, the little girl who’d helped find my intensifier.

  And I was looking forward to it. I was.

  It was just that today was also the day I’d been dreading since it was announced by the Unseelie Court almost half a year ago. Today, women from across Faerie and Iadrun, too, would begin arriving in Unseelie for the Declaration. Forty-two of them, to be exact. All vying for the affections of the soon-to-be-King of Unseelie.

  I pushed off my bed and walked into my dressing room, unhooking my dress and letting it pool at my feet on the floor. I stepped over the pile, telling myself to think of anything else. But the truth was, Fergus Blackwood hadn’t left my thoughts all day.

  I’d watched from afar as he’d taken over his father’s kingdom and immediately began to change it to something other than what he’d inherited. The first thing he’d done was free all the creatures his father had created for his army. They could go anywhere in Faery now, and were bound to no one, but most of them hadn’t wanted to leave the mountains that King Aengus had made their home, and so they stayed in their village, and became members of Fergus’ court. He’d also been the driving force for making singing—and music in general—legal again. He’d brought the motion to my court for sign off, with a list of reasons why I should accept the changes. I hadn’t needed a list. I’d agreed immediately. But I let Selina attend the negotiations and sign the contract in my place, because I hadn’t wanted to see him.

  I still didn’t. But he was about to have his hands full of women competing for the position I’d once assumed would be mine, and it was hard to consider anything else.

  I straightened my back. No. I would not think about this. About him. He was in charge of his own destiny, just as I was in charge of mine.

  I cast a glance over all the evening dresses I now owned, trying to bring my head back to Seelie. Selina had given instructions on which gown I was to wear tonight, but I couldn’t recall what she’d said. Was it the sea-foam one with the flowing layers of tulle, or the grey and silver with the fishtail skirt?

  With a sigh, I walked to my dressing table, pulling pins from my hair and sighing in relief as it tumbled over my shoulders and down my back. It didn’t matter that I couldn’t recall what to wear. One or more of my ladies-in-waiting would show up soon to help me dress, anyway. No doubt they’d arrive with instructions from Selina burned into the back of their minds.

  As I dropped hairpin after hairpin onto the dresser, my eyes caught on the sliver of black glass I’d picked up from Everleigh’s place in the Court of Light and never returned to her. Usually, the sight of it made my gut roil—I’d last used it the night we killed Rhiannon and Aengus. The same night Mother died. I hadn’t touched the thing since then. Today, though, it was as if my fingers had a mind of their own, reaching out and picking up the piece.

  It wasn’t really a sliver. I didn’t know why I thought of it as such. It was a rectangle, not much bigger than my palm, with rough edges where the rest of it had shattered away—tiny compared to the enormous mirror it had come from. I told myself I didn’t know why I was holding it, but that was a lie.

  I knew.

  It took barely a thought for the glass to lighten and for Fergus’ image to appear. He was dressed formally in a black jacket, shirt, and pants. His hair—longer than when I’d last seen him—was pulled in tightly at the back of his neck. He looked thinner. Tired, too.

  Unlike me—who’d been coronated three weeks after Rhiannon died—Fergus had held off with his. I didn’t know why, since he was the ruler of Unseelie in every way but name. He made all the decisions and took all the pressure. When after six months, he still showed no sign of officially taking his crown, his supporting council, comprising of the lords of his courts and his mother, had enacted the Declaration to find him a wife. It was standard practice in Unseelie for a new king without a wife to begin this pr
ocess. It rarely happened until after the coronation, but they hoped having someone to rule with would ease Fergus’ burden and make him more willing to follow through with his responsibilities. According to Selina, they felt the kingdom was weak without a named king at the helm.

  They’d given Fergus six months to begin the process, which involved bringing the most suitable women from all of Faery to spend time with him. That six months would end in two weeks’ time. He’d set the start of the Declaration for today.

  I stared at his image. He was smiling. Laughing at something his female companion said.

  My heart stuttered. I’d always found him especially handsome when dressed formally, but seeing him laugh—I couldn’t decide if it made me happy or sad. I didn’t want him pining over me—and I didn’t expect him to, since the magic that had drawn us together was now gone—but it seemed I didn’t want him not pining over me either.

  He offered his elbow to his companion, and my gaze shifted to her.

  She was stunning, and everything I wasn’t. Blonde hair fell to the middle of her back, and she was so petite she barely reached his shoulder. Her green eyes danced playfully as she took his arm, and together they walked amongst the lush gardens.

  “Why would you torture yourself this way?”

  I jumped as Selina spoke. I hadn’t heard her enter, but now she was leaning over my shoulder, staring at Fergus and the beautiful girl through the glass.

  I shook my head. “I don’t. I mean, I have never spied on him before. This is the first time.”

  Selina gave my bare shoulder a squeeze. “He’ll find someone wonderful. You don’t have to worry.”

  “I’m not.” The lie felt rough on my tongue. Of course he’d find someone wonderful. He had forty-two of the most wonderful women in Faery all about to throw themselves at him. He couldn’t lose.

  Selina squeezed my shoulder again. “We can find someone for you to rule with. If you want?”