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

by Hayley Osborn

  The man looked up at the sound of his name. When he met Rhiannon’s eyes, he beamed, strolling closer.

  “We’re bonded.” Rhiannon spoke behind her hand in a mock whisper, like she was sharing a secret at the top of her voice. “And lucky for us, this very day, it has been a year and a day since we met.” A year and a day was the amount of time the bond needed to fully form and activate. Fergus and I had first met as babies, so the next time we saw each other, our bond was ready to use—even now with most of our bond removed, should we both use our magic while near each other, our bond was ready and waiting to reengage. But if Rhiannon had never met Sawyer before, their magic would not fully combine until the year and a day was up. Today, apparently. “Such a pity his father never allowed him to come to court when he was alive. If I’d met him sooner, we wouldn’t have had to wait so long for the bond to kick in.” She waved her hand at the shield of their magic around her.

  Fear roiled in my gut. That was why she had been waiting. She was biding her time until the bond began to work and their magic could fully join, allowing her to regain some of the power she lost when I became queen. She’d been waiting until the two of them could do as much damage as possible.

  Rhiannon walked over and took Sawyer’s hand. “Are you aware of what happens to two people’s magic when they are bonded? It grows stronger. Stronger than it could ever have been on its own.” She slapped a hand over her mouth and giggled. “Oh, silly me. Of course you both know that. You were once bonded, too.” She put a heavy influence on the word once. “I’ve had such fun this past year, traveling around Faery, testing out my magic and my disguises. And you didn’t even know I was here.” She giggled. “Or that I’d become bonded.” Her eyes narrowed. “I had hoped to attack you from within the moment our bond fell into place.” With rocks. She shrugged. “But you removed me from the castle for the last challenge before our bond became active. I think this worked out so much better.” She waved to the fae who weren’t sensible enough to run and hide. She’d always enjoyed an audience.

  “Bonded or not, you are still no match for me, Rhiannon.” Fergus threw his magic at her.

  It pushed Rhiannon back a step, but her shield held.

  I wasn’t even surprised. This was Rhiannon. She would never have returned until she was certain she could beat us.

  “That’s where you are wrong.” Rhiannon pulled my clip from the folds of her red dress and held it high, as if inspecting it.

  I cursed. “You took my intensifier from me?” I didn’t even recall when I last had it.

  “Just before you fell.” She smirked.

  I straightened my shoulders, recalling the way she’d gripped my face and pulled my hair when she released me, just before Piper pushed me over the ledge. “It doesn’t matter. You can’t use any intensifier now. You are not queen.”

  A strange smile settled upon her face. “You forget, child. I was never queen before, not really, and yet I could use it.” She tossed my clip into the air, catching it with a single hand. “A little adjustment spell plus my magic combined with Sawyer’s, and I’m once again as strong as the prince. Maybe stronger.” A slow smile spread across her face. “Anyway, I only need to be stronger than one of you, because the other won’t bring their magic near enough to risk the bond returning.”

  She nodded to Sawyer, and he threw a firebomb toward the few onlookers who hadn’t run to safety. Including Jax and Willow.

  Fergus aimed a blast of his magic at the firebomb. It pushed the fireball off course and away from his people.

  Rhiannon screamed, her face rigid with anger, and fired a bolt of vermillion magic at Fergus. With Fergus’ attention elsewhere, he had no chance to fortify his shield. Rhiannon’s magic dented his shield and forced him to stumble backward. Fergus drew his magic around him, strengthening his shield just as Rhiannon aimed for him again. This time her magic bounced back as if it had hit a wall, but the distraction gave Sawyer the chance to aim another fireball at the fae, most of whom were now running away.

  Rhiannon could only beat Fergus if he was focusing his magic elsewhere—such as on Sawyer’s fireballs. And though Fergus could stop the fireballs, he couldn’t get through Rhiannon’s shield. Every second Fergus wasn’t forcing the fireball away from his people, Sawyer was burning them. And each time Fergus moved the fire away, it gave Rhiannon an opportunity to aim at, and eventually break through, his shield and kill him. So long as he was focused on Sawyer, Rhiannon could beat Fergus. But he could do nothing to beat her.

  There had to be a way I could help, but I could come up with nothing.

  “Queen Briony.”

  I turned at the sound of someone behind me speaking my name. Lying amongst the singed and groaning bodies, I made out the whites of someone’s eyes, staring up at me. I hobbled over. “It’s okay. We’ll get you help.” Just as soon as we’d rid ourselves of Rhiannon. How I wished I had some medicines on me now. At least I’d be able to help that way, since I couldn’t do anything else.

  He shook his head. “Don’t worry about me.” The voice was young, childlike. “Rather than helping one boy, you’d be better to help hundreds of others.”

  I nodded. “My medicine…”

  He shook his head. “No, your Highness. You must help in another way. Together, you and the prince can kill my father and the woman who’s taken his heart. And his mind.”

  I squinted, finally recognizing Wolfe Whitesky, Lord Sawyer’s young son. I dropped to my knees beside him, angry that a father could do this to his child. Angry that anyone was stupid enough to team up with Rhiannon, bond or not. Dread filled me. “When you asked to speak to me, was it because you knew Rhiannon was back?”

  He nodded. “I saw how she made people bend to her will and I couldn’t trust anyone but you because you already fought her once. I was certain you would never team up with her like Father did.”

  But I’d refused to speak to him in private, and he had trusted no one else enough to tell me with others around, so his message never got through. Not to mention I’d dismissed him quickly because he was a child. I should have known better. “I’m so sorry I didn’t make time for you.”

  His smile was tight. “You only have to be sorry if you choose to do nothing now. You know you can beat her.”

  I shook my head. I knew what he was asking. He wanted me to join my magic with Fergus’, to resurrect our bond. We would be stronger than Rhiannon if we did. “I can’t do that.”

  “Can’t? Or won’t?”

  I stared at Fergus, then at the fireball that burst from Sawyer’s hand.

  “If you don’t, hundreds more will die.”

  I shook my head. “If I do what you’re asking, if I make our bond return, the Court of Light will call for Fergus to die. They refuse to let us both rule rival courts while bonded, and they’ve been very clear about the consequences.”

  Wolfe blinked. He sounded older than his years. “This is why I never cared to rule. Too many impossible decisions.”

  I let out a deep sigh. Guilt already gnawing at my gut. I had to help the people of Faery, but how could I sacrifice Fergus to do so? “If I were a good ruler, the decision wouldn’t be impossible, would it?” I didn’t know why I was asking a child. There was no way he could give me the answer.

  Wolfe shook his head. “I think if this were a straightforward decision, you would be a ruler without a heart. And the whole of Faery knows you have one of those.” He closed his eyes. “Do what you must. Whatever decision you make will be the right one.”

  He was begging me to put a stop to this. To make sure the joy the people of Faery had experienced this past year remained. He was asking me to regenerate my bond to Fergus. And he was asking me to condemn the person I loved to death.

  “Bria!” Fergus was holding Rhiannon off. But only just. “You can end this.”

  I shook my head, though I doubted he saw it. Fergus was asking me to do the same thing.

  I could end i
t.

  I wanted to end it.

  But I didn’t want to end him.

  “Bria!”

  I moved toward him, knowing I shouldn’t be dragging my feet. If I didn’t help Fergus right now, Rhiannon would kill him. If I did, the Court of Light would do it, though maybe I could talk them into a reprieve under the circumstances. At least if I helped him, we could rid our kingdoms of my aunt forever.

  I straightened my shoulders. I was Queen of Seelie. I had more to consider than just myself or my happiness. I had to do this.

  I stepped up beside Fergus, took his hand. “I’m sorry,” I whispered as I let my magic loose.

  FIFTEEN

  My magic poured from me, flowing straight for Fergus’ magic and entwining with it. It felt so good, like taking an overdue drink on a hot summer’s day. Or drawing a breath after holding it forever. Like we were supposed to use our magic this way.

  Because we were.

  I knew from the instant our magic joined and our bond restored we would beat Rhiannon. I’d never seen her scared, but in that moment, her eyes widened, and she stumbled backward.

  Then she straightened her shoulders, drew on every ounce of her combined magic, and threw it at us. Over and over. Our shield was strong, and it held. With both of us working together, Rhiannon couldn’t crack it. And now we didn’t have to worry about our people being caught in a fireball either, because all of Sawyer’s magic was going to Rhiannon.

  Fergus gave my hand a squeeze. It was time.

  We aimed our magic at her.

  I met her eyes.

  She shook her head, hard and fast. “No. Please, niece. You can’t do this.”

  I didn’t even bother to reply. There was nothing to say. I looked into her eyes and poured my magic through her shield, and buried it deep into her chest.

  I stood there for hours after Rhiannon died … again. Never in all those hours did I take my eyes off her cold and lifeless body. Fergus stayed beside me, seeming unwilling to let her out of his sight, either. We didn’t speak. I couldn’t. I would not risk losing concentration, only to discover I’d somehow missed the fact that Rhiannon might be still alive.

  Sawyer was dead, too. He’d stepped into our magic as soon as he realized Rhiannon wouldn’t live.

  Though Fergus offered a few instructions to those around him, it was Willow who organized medicines for the injured, who had the uninjured build a pyre for Rhiannon and who had people clean up the mess Rhiannon and Sawyer Whitesky had left. She seemed to understand why Fergus might not want to move far from Rhiannon’s body and got on with the job required, which had included healing my ankle.

  My hand remained in Fergus’. Though my eyes were on Rhiannon, my mind was on him. With every breath he took, I expected him to fall to the ground clutching his throat or something equally life threatening. I had broken my promise to the Court of Light. Now Fergus would die.

  I’m sorry.

  I whispered the words over and over inside my head, but they never made it out of my mouth. Speaking them would mean acknowledging what I’d done. And what was coming for Fergus.

  It wasn’t until darkness fell and the pyre was lit that I noticed all the fae standing around us. There were many here. Some, even, that had been wounded in Rhiannon’s fire, and then healed. Their clothing hung from their bodies in shreds, but their mood was jovial. They were singing, hugging, laughing. Rhiannon was really dead this time, and they would enjoy watching her burn.

  I couldn’t match their mood. I was pleased to see the back of Rhiannon, but I could consider nothing but Fergus. And there was nothing about what was coming that would remove the dread from my stomach. I was going to be sick.

  Only once there was no trace of her body left within the flames, the new Lord of the Court of Light, Lord Connor Greysage made his way over to us.

  Fergus turned to face him, dropping my hand before urging me around. I didn’t want to turn, didn’t want to face what was coming. But Fergus made me.

  Lord Connor dropped into a bow.

  While his eyes were on the ground, I steeled my shoulders and forced my voice not to waiver. “Lord Connor.”

  “You know why I’m here, your Highness.” It wasn’t a question. Likely, every person in Faery knew what this meeting was about. And they were all staring. Some openly, others discreetly. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Jax draw closer. Willow and Indira, too.

  “I do. You’re here to withdraw the requirements of our blood promise.” The steel in my voice made me sound like someone else. Right now, I wished I was. I would do anything not to face this man.

  He stared at me, his lips a thin, straight line. “I cannot do that.”

  My heart clenched, but I wasn’t above pleading. “We would all have died had I not reformed my bond with the Unseelie Prince.”

  Lord Connor gave a single nod. “Undoubtedly.” His demeanor was so calm it made me want to scream. We were talking about the life of the ruler of Unseelie, yet Lord Connor might well have been speaking about what to expect for breakfast tomorrow. “But a promise is a promise. Your bond has returned, and so one of you must forfeit your life.” There was a moment’s pause where I opened my mouth to speak, to offer my life instead, but Lord Connor was faster. “The prince must forfeit his life.”

  I shook my head, panic making my chest tight. “No. I will not allow that to happen.” I gripped Fergus’ hand tighter, taking hold of his arm with my other hand as if that would stop what was to come.

  “It is not your choice.” His gaze moved to Fergus, and his voice lowered. “Your death need not be public. I would be happy to offer you a more private setting.”

  I shook my head, a tear slipping down my cheek. They couldn’t take Fergus away from me. A year ago, I had walked away from him to make certain he lived. We couldn’t be back in the same place again. My words ran together as I spoke, my voice and heart breaking. “We are stronger than you. We are stronger than everyone in the entire kingdom. You cannot kill him. It’s not possible.”

  Fergus squeezed my hand, his tone soft. “Our magic is nothing compared to the magic in a blood promise, Bria. You know this.”

  “I know only that I don’t want you to die.”

  He drew in his breath, wrenching his eyes from mine to look at Lord Connor. “With respect, Lord Connor, I don’t believe the blood promise is in effect any longer.”

  Lord Connor’s face hardened. “Of course it is.”

  Fergus slipped the hand that wasn’t holding mine into his pocket. It was shaking. My heart broke. “Your quarrel was with both of us ruling while we were bonded to each other, correct?”

  The lord nodded. “Our court will allow no one absolute power across all of Faery. We will not risk what almost happened with Rhiannon happening again.”

  Fergus bobbed his head. “And when we weren’t bonded, the threat of the blood promise disappeared.”

  “This is true. But you are now bonded again.” Lord Connor balled his hands into fists like he was expecting a fight. I searched Fergus’ face for some clue about where this line of questioning was leading. For some reason, my heart somersaulted with hope.

  Fergus gave a thoughtful nod. “And if one of us were no longer ruling, would the same apply? Would the blood promise be void?”

  Lord Connor’s blink was slow. “The minute one or both of you are no longer king or queen, the blood promise will be void. But for now, that is not possible. You have no successors. Queen Briony has no successors.”

  Fergus glanced to the side. Willow had crept closer to the conversation and was waiting a few steps from her brother. The light of the glowing embers of the pyre rebounded off her circlet. Her face was serious, her lips tight with worry. An expression I imagined was mirrored on my face.

  “Over the past year, we’ve been working on changing some of the antiquated laws we have in Faery. You recall that less than a year ago the singing happening here tonight would have led to the deaths
of those involved. But the courts of Seelie and Unseelie worked together—a process you were part of, Lord Connor—and abolished that outdated law.”

  Lord Connor nodded.

  “My own kingdom has also been working on fixing some of those antiquated laws. One of those being that the women of Unseelie can’t rule. This morning, before any of the girls returned from the competition, I abdicated my throne. My position has now gone to the next in line. My sister, Princess Willow.” He nodded to her, and she stepped forward. “In the weeks preceding, as I spent time with the beautiful women who came to the palace, it became clear to me that marrying one of them would not make me a better ruler, as everyone hoped. I am not cut out for this job. Nor does it make me happy.”

  “That’s why you’re not wearing your circlet?” I stared at them both, my mouth hanging open. “You made Willow Queen of Unseelie?”

  Fergus lifted a brow. “Do you have a problem with that?” He seemed genuinely afraid I might.

  I shook my head. Willow would make an excellent ruler for Unseelie, and I was immensely proud that her brother had seen that in her, and then done something about it. She was strong-willed and fair. And would likely have a tough time dealing with some lords who were used to dealing with only men. “Only that you didn’t tell me.” But why would he? We hadn’t exactly been sharing lately.

  I caught Willow’s gaze. She fidgeted from foot to foot, wringing her hands. Was she nervous about what I might think? I grinned at her. “You’re the queen?”

  She nodded.

  “You’re the Queen of Unseelie!” I dropped Fergus’ hand and ran to hug her.

  Those who had watched the pyre burn had moved slowly closer as the conversation progressed until fae surrounded us on three sides, and the fire embers warmed our backs. They cheered. Willow was the first woman ever to lead this kingdom, and it seemed there were plenty who were happy about it.