Three Kings

by Nikki Jefford

“And what if I decided not to return from my travels?” I demanded.

  Albedo stopped chewing. “You would abandon your children?” he asked curiously.

  I pursed my lips. This was the most disturbing theoretical conversation ever to take place. Albedo’s eyes locked on mine. I stared back, refusing to be the first to look away, while denying him an answer. His eyes took on an unnatural shine.

  “That would be disappointing, Melarue, but it would not be the end of the world. My brother and I were there for one another when our parents were not. It will be the same for my sons, and any daughters. They will learn respect and family loyalty. They will look out for one another. They will not need you, but perhaps you will find you need them.” Albedo finished chewing then lifted his glass. “We have a saying in Faerie. When the wine has been handed out, you can either watch the bubbles or drink them. Drink the wine, Melarue.”

  I wrinkled my nose and made a soft huff in the back of my throat. Dumbest saying ever, but no surprise when I factored in that most faeries had bubbles for brains.

  Albedo took a sip of his bubbling wine as though to demonstrate how it was done. “Speaking of wine, you should prepare a list of what you would like served after our ceremony, as well as entertainments. I can have everything prearranged, of course, but this is your chance to have your pick. You still have choices. I am being extremely generous with you.”

  Bleh! Sure. I was utterly overwhelmed by his generosity and affections.

  After swallowing down a couple bites of polenta—with no bubbling wine, thank you very much—I was excused from the table.

  Gem was ready in my chamber with parchment and quill to take down my wedding day requests. Albedo must have spoken to her before me. Yetch! At least the spies he’d sent me were tolerable, unlike the tramp team.

  Why had Ryo refused to come to breakfast? I understood his rage, but I needed him for moral support.

  Chewing on my lower lip, I stared out the window of my room, willing Teryani to take the castle by storm. By now she must have heard from Aerith about my capture. Ugh, I wasn’t going to live this one down.

  “My lady, what kind of cake do you want prepared?” Gem asked my back.

  I whipped around and scowled. “How about an ‘I don’t give a crap cake’? How does that sound?” Gem frowned. Lulu stopped singing. I hadn’t noticed her start until the room went quiet. “I’d like some alone time.”

  “Of course, my lady,” Gem said as she and the others rushed out of my chamber.

  A few minutes later, when I opened my door just enough to stick my head out and peek into the hall, I found them leaning against the wall. Their faces all lit up.

  “Do you need us, my lady?” Gem asked hopefully.

  “No.” I drew back into my room and slammed the door.

  Pit. Pit. Pitberries!

  I was trapped in my room until lunch. I thought I would be stuck with Albedo alone, yet again, until Ryo traipsed in, his jacket collar askew and shirt partially unbuttoned. He made his way around the table, taking the far side as not to pass behind Albedo or me, then pulled his chair back, scraping the legs against the floor before plunking down. Once seated, his hand shot out for the glass of bubbling wine. Ryo drank the entire contents down without pause.

  Albedo gave a sniff and strained smile. “Now here is someone who knows when to stop resisting and drink the wine.”

  Ryo wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and glared at Albedo. His pupils looked like they were expanding, black holes forming in his eyes.

  “Glad you could join us,” Albedo said with a smirk.

  Ryo looked away from him and avoided my gaze.

  While the footmen dished us up, Albedo drummed his fingers over the table, studying Ryo. “You sent for Giselle and Jana to bathe you this morning.” He said it matter-of-factly, no trace of triumph or suspicion. I wasn’t so blasé about this news.

  “What?” I dropped my fork into my plate of bread-crusted fish fillet served over potato mash.

  Ryo refused to meet my eyes as I gaped across the table. “They are far more tolerable now that they know how to listen to orders.” His voice was as sharp as the fork prongs he speared into his fish.

  “Shall I send them to your room tonight, or do you want to wait until the night of the ceremony?” Albedo asked, the hint of a challenge in his voice.

  “Send them tonight,” Ryo said in a cool, commanding voice. “I want you to,” he added. His teeth flashed when he smiled at Albedo right before he returned to devouring his fish, chewing and smacking his way through his meal.

  Angry, frustrated, indignant tears amassed behind my eyelids.

  Was this Ryo’s plan? Rip my heart out and anger me enough to refuse Albedo, not caring that he would pay the price if I didn’t go through with the wedding?

  If that’s what he was aiming for, it was a suck-ass plan.

  I pushed my glass of wine across the table at Ryo, sloshing some of it as I did. The spilled wine fizzed over the polished oak surface. “Here, have mine,” I snapped. “I’m not thirsty. I might be stuck here, but I’ll never drink the wine.” The last part I fired off at Albedo. I scooted back and stood. “Oh, and I’m not hungry either.”

  Albedo flicked his wrist, waving his fingers at me in dismissal.

  When I looked back at Ryo, he took the glass I’d pushed at him and lifted it to his lips.

  With one final scowl, I spun around and rushed out of the room in a flurry of navy skirts.

  Gem and the rest of the horde were waiting for me in my chamber.

  “I want to visit Ella,” I announced.

  Gem grimaced. “You can see as much of her as you like after the wedding. She will be given her own chamber and a position as your lady-in-waiting if you desire.”

  “I desire her company now,” I said. “She is the closest thing I have to family. I want her at my wedding.”

  Gem’s face softened. “I will speak to the king, my lady.”

  Yes, do that. I had to work with what I had, including our supposed upcoming ceremony. I could talk to Albedo, too, tell him I didn’t want to be the only elf at my wedding. If he was offering Ella as my lady-in-waiting, why not let her help me get ready for my big day? It was the perfect opportunity to free her from the dungeons. That would just leave Ryo . . . unless he slept with the tramp team. If he gave those crotch-grabbing vixens his royal blessings, I had half a mind to leave his dumb ass behind. I didn’t care what his reasons were. If he tapped those two, we were done. Finished. Over.

  My stomach roiled and growled. It felt like it was eating itself. I blamed Ryo’s sullen performance rather than the lack of food.

  “I need exercise,” I announced.

  “A brisk walk around the castle is just the thing,” Magnolia trilled.

  I wrinkled my nose. “I’d rather kick the straw out of some dummies. I know my way to the armory.”

  Folas and I had passed many hours there, stabbing at hay figures to pass the time. My heart clenched as melancholy swirled through me in chilly waves. I missed the big guy. He was starting to feel like family.

  Gem and Magnolia shared darting glances.

  I put my hands on my hips. “What is it?” I demanded.

  “The armory is off limits,” Gem said apologetically.

  “I guess we could go riding,” I said. I’d even do sidesaddle if that was what it took to clear the gates.

  “Riding is off limits as well.”

  Of course it was.

  “What exactly can I do around here besides eat, sleep, bathe, and make babies?”

  Lulu giggled then clapped her hand over her mouth when Gem narrowed her eyes at her.

  “Fine,” I sighed. “A brisk walk it is.” I had to let off steam.

  Somehow, I don’t think my entourage thought I meant it literally. It put a small smile on my face to hear them panting at my heels as I power walked through the halls—despite my heavy skirts. I covered every corridor of the castle—at least the ones I was all
owed to traverse. It was all pretty bland compared to the eclectic wings of Dahlquist with Teryani’s corridor of boobs and butts, and Cirrus’s hall of mirrors. Ravensburg was filled with old-timey tapestries, paintings, and armored statues. I guess Teryani had only gotten started on transforming the palace to her specifications.

  After taking my attendants on several laps, we returned to my chamber, where they collapsed into armchairs and the settee. All except Gem, who kept her back straight and a determined lift of her chin as though she refused to sit unless I did.

  I plopped down on my bed, lay on my back, and stared at the ceiling.

  “I’ve never been so bored in my entire life.” I groaned. I guess that wasn’t entirely true. My mind had turned numb countless times at my father’s estate in Sweetbell. Gah, it had been excruciating! I’d been forced to dress up there, as well, anytime Father threw a tea party—which was all the flipping time. When I’d left with Aerith, I’d told myself never again. No more petticoats or high society.

  I crossed my ankles.

  Now look at me stuffed in a ball gown being threatened with a crown. Father would probably fall over with excitement if he knew what position I was in. I didn’t think Aerith would ever get over it. She’d already suffered that fate in order to take care of our family. The only favor Liri ever did was kill Cirrus and, in so doing, free my sister.

  I hoped that wasn’t Ryo’s plan. History did not need to repeat itself.

  Goosebumps rose over my arms, recalling Ryo’s threat to end Albedo the night before.

  Was he just biding his time? I couldn’t wait for an assassination attempt. Aerith had endured fifteen months mated to Cirrus. Plenty of time to have a Fae baby and a second one in the womb. One night with Albedo was unthinkable, never mind hundreds of them. I made a gagging sound.

  Magnolia lifted her head from the settee. “Are you all right, my lady?”

  “Yep. I think my thoughts got stuck in my throat again. All good now.” I made a thumbs-up gesture.

  An hour before dinner, I changed into the beaded cream dress. It felt more comfortable than the navy gown and half the weight. I wasn’t much for dresses, but the delicate elegance complemented my light skin and red hair.

  Let Ryo try to avoid looking at me now, I thought sullenly as Gem styled my hair in a thick braid that she wrapped around the top of my head like a crown before teasing long wavy wisps loose over my shoulders. Once finished, she added a dusting of shimmering gold powder to my lids and red stain to my lips.

  Magnolia and Lulu hovered behind us as Gem finished.

  “My lady, you are a vision.” Lulu’s lashes fluttered as she sighed dreamily.

  I looked at my reflection, not quite recognizing the female staring back. The sad part was that if I were to truly make a commitment, this is how I would want to look for my wedding. We’d gather in a field during summer with only our closest family and friends. My bouquet would be comprised of wildflowers, and all the ladies present would wear crowns of daisies. Aerith would be my maid of honor, and Father would give me away. That fantasy was so the opposite of what Albedo had planned. If he somehow succeeded in forcing me to the claiming ceremony, I knew what I needed to do—end him when he tried to consummate the union. Make myself a widow on day one.

  Chapter Twelve

  Melarue

  Flames glowed from candelabras over the table. Plates covered with silver lids were already placed at each setting when I arrived. I’d worried Ryo would either be late again or not come at all, but tonight he sat slouched in his seat and already drinking. He barely flicked a gaze at me as I strode in. Apparently, his bubbling wine held more appeal than I.

  Pursing my lips, I took a seat.

  “You look lovely,” Albedo said from his spot at the head of the table. He’d gone back to wearing black. Both he and Ryo looked like they were preparing to attend a funeral in the mortal world. Fitting.

  Three footmen entered to pull the lids off our plates. Steam and the smell of roasted meat lifted over the table. Ryo grabbed his knife and fork and began sawing into his meal, stuffing bits of meat into his mouth and chewing vigorously.

  “In a hurry, Brother?” Albedo’s voice lifted with amusement.

  “Giselle and Jana are waiting for me,” Ryo said while chewing.

  He might as well have shoved his knife into my heart and cut it up as carelessly as he hacked up his meat.

  I knew he cared about me and wanted to protect me. I knew he’d sooner kill Albedo than stand back and allow him to mate me. Somehow, he thought he was helping, but this was more than a charade. Giselle and Jana would be waiting in his chamber, and I knew there would be no stopping them this time. Didn’t Ryo realize I hated the idea of him with those two harpies as much as he hated the thought of me with Albedo?

  We were supposed to be a team.

  “Aren’t you hungry, Melarue?” Albedo drawled.

  I stared down at the unappetizing hunk of meat then sawed off a piece and lifted it to my mouth. The juicy morsel had probably been grilled to perfection, but it tasted rancid as my teeth worked it into mush.

  “Have you decided on a menu for our ceremony?” Albedo asked.

  “Cakes,” I said. “Loads and loads of cakes. A table full of cakes.”

  “If that is what you want,” Albedo said, sounding bored.

  “May I be excused?” Ryo asked gruffly.

  Albedo waved him off. “I hope that you will be in a better mood tomorrow. Your sulky behavior is getting tiresome.”

  Rather than scowl, Ryo’s lips split apart into a malicious grin. “I will be in a much better mood tomorrow. I promise you that, Brother.”

  “Good. You may leave now.”

  My heart sank as Ryo stomped out of the dining room.

  After forcing down half my meal, I asked to leave as well. I was dismissed with about as much fanfare as Ryo. Albedo really appeared to have no interest in me other than as the key to Dahlquist.

  Back in my chambers, Gem and her crew tried to help undress me as I kicked them out. I was okay with a little help getting ready. When it came to taking off my clothes, they needed to keep their faerie fingers to themselves. Ugh, they’d already seen more of me than my own sister ever had. Besides, I needed to be alone. I couldn’t decide between screaming or sobbing into a pillow—or ripping it apart.

  I paced the room, stopping in front of the vanity mirror every time I reached it. Lanterns blazed in my chamber, catching the golden embroidery and beadwork on my dress. It looked even more enchanting in the dusky light. Ryo hadn’t looked once.

  He’d left in a rush to get back to his room and the tramp team.

  By now it was too late.

  I stormed up to the dresser, grabbed a vase full of dried flowers, and threw it across the room. It hit the far wall, spraying porcelain shards over the floor and rug. The brittle flowers scattered like leaves.

  A strangled cry rose up my lips.

  There was a knock at my door.

  “My lady?” Heath called.

  “Go away,” I said too softly for him to hear.

  He knocked harder.

  “Go away!” I screamed.

  “My lady, I have your herbal tea and cake.”

  What the pit?

  I stormed up to the door and yanked it open. Sure enough, Heath stood there holding a plate with a thick slice of chocolate-and-raspberry cake. A footman with long ice-blond hair gathered into a ponytail stood beside him with a ceramic teapot, gold-rimmed mug, and saucer.

  “Cake? Seriously? You brought me cake?” My eyes flicked back and forth between Heath and the dessert.

  Heath slid past me, followed by the footman.

  “By all means, come on in,” I said, rolling my eyes.

  “Oh dear. A vase has broken. That will not do, my lady,” Heath hollered.

  Why was he yelling? It was late, I was irritated, and I most certainly did not want cake or company.

  Heath stormed past me and snapped at a guard in the hal
l to bring a broom and dustbin. He stood in the open frame, tapping his foot until his order was carried out. As soon as a broom and bin were handed to him, he snatched them.

  “We will take it from here,” he said, shoving the door closed. He set the broom and bin aside to latch the door.

  My eyes expanded. I took a step back, giving myself more time to ready my fire magic. Something wasn’t right.

  “We don’t have much time,” Heath said. As he shook out his brown locks, they shortened and turned raven black.

  No, not Heath. Ryo! My mouth gaped open, and my heart stitched itself back together as I threw my arms around him.

  “Ryo, what’s going on?” I asked in a hushed whisper.

  Ryo’s nostrils flared, and his eyes burned with emotion when he looked at me.

  “I am sorry, Mel, but you have to marry me right now. You can ditch me once we get out of this mess, but I cannot let Albedo mate you.” His chest rose and fell rapidly. Black hair fanned his face and neck, more mussed up than usual.

  My entire jaw felt like it had hit the floor. “Marry you?” A dizzy spell had me swaying.

  Ryo took me by the shoulders and pressed his forehead against mine. “I won’t let him have you. This is the only way.” Ryo let go of me and lifted his chin. “Berlin, let’s get started.”

  I blinked as Ryo strode up to the white-haired Fae and handed him a knife that looked suspiciously like the one from dinner.

  “Wait a minute,” I said, storming over. “What happened with Giselle and Jana?” I wrinkled my nose.

  “Bound and gagged inside my chamber.” Ryo gave a dark laugh. “Don’t worry. They won’t be able to free themselves without help.” A cruel light entered his eyes.

  My sigh of relief was brief. “What is the knife for?” I asked.

  “The mating ceremony.”

  “And who is this dude?” I nodded at the white-haired Fae.

  “Berlin. He’s a loyal subject of Teryani’s. I’ve been observing and gathering information since our arrival. Berlin’s true loyalties are known around the castle, but he’s too far beneath Albedo’s notice to be in danger for the time being.”

  Berlin held the knife flat in his palm.