Three Kings

by Nikki Jefford

  We set the weapons down and saddled three horses. When all the tackle had been securely buckled, Ryo reached into his pockets and pulled out the cotton panties I’d insisted he sneak out for Ella and me. Riding in a sheer gown would be rough enough without going commando. That was one step way too far out of my comfort zone. Snatching the undies from Ryo, I tossed a pair to Ella, and we pulled them on.

  “I’ll jump down and open the gate,” I said, handing the crossbow to Ella.

  The plan was a surprise attack on the few guards at the gate on night duty. I’d use my fire while Ryo and Ella used the sword and crossbow. The guards were unfortunate casualties that could not be avoided.

  “No,” Ryo said. “I’m faster. I’ll open the gate. Once I do, ride out and don’t stop or look back until it’s safe.”

  I pursed my lips.

  “Mel, promise me you won’t turn around.” Ryo took me by the shoulders and rested his forehead against mine, making it impossible to avoid his dark gaze.

  “I promise,” I said after a beat. Luckily I had the ability to lie.

  “Okay, good. Let’s go before Captain Curious decides to check on our progress.”

  “You were unbelievable, by the way. Such princely prowess.” Ella snickered.

  I tried to throw a piece of hay at her, but it didn’t go very far before floating to the floor.

  Ryo walked his horse to the stable doors, stopping to wait as Ella and I mounted.

  “Ready to bust through the gates?” Ryo asked.

  “Like a wrecking ball,” I said.

  When Ryo and Ella turned confused looks on me, I grinned. “I heard it in a song by a singer named Miley Cyrus in the mortal world. She’s kick butt and so is the song.” More my speed then Lulu’s chirping about mermen and nesting birds.

  “Okay, let’s do this.” Ryo took a deep breath and opened the doors. He was on his horse in a flash, charging ahead.

  Hoofbeats clattered over stones. My heart galloped right along with my horse as we thundered toward the gate.

  The guards shouted in surprise before drawing their swords. An arrow sang through the night, taking down one guard, followed by the next.

  “Guards, to the gates!” Mr. Bronze yelled.

  We had to get out of there before reinforcements came running.

  Ryo swung his leg around and jumped off his horse. Mr. Bronze ran at him, sword raised. Ryo lifted his weapon, blocking the guard’s blade. Metal clanged and sang as they pushed at one another.

  Another arrow whizzed by, taking out the guard closest to the gate. He collapsed over the stone ground. Ella had mad archery skills. She was proving to be a good stand-in for Aerith in more than one way.

  But the guard and Ryo were fighting too close and moving around too fast to risk taking aim. Mr. Bronze hacked at Ryo, keeping him away from the gate. Ryo’s horse whinnied at the commotion and danced sideways to get away. I urged my mount forward, pulling up to the gate, where I quickly slid out of the saddle.

  A guard ran at me with his sword raised. I lifted my palms and created fireballs of heat aimed at his arm. As he flew at me, I released my power.

  “Yowch!” the guard yelled, dropping his sword with a clang. I started for the weapon only to be distracted by Ella’s yelp.

  “Melarue, the gate!”

  I looked over my shoulder and saw a dozen more guards running our way. Ella took aim and fired into them, but while her back was turned, a guard with an arrow in his shoulder leapt up.

  “Ella!” I shouted.

  Ryo sprinted away from Mr. Bronze and stabbed the advancing guard in the back right as he was about to reach Ella. The guard toppled to the flagstones. Mr. Bronze charged Ryo. Ella spun around and fired an arrow, but the bronzed guard ducked in time.

  I turned and sprinted to the gate in a mad dash.

  “Stand aside or get burned,” I warned the single guard left defending the gate.

  The guard’s eyes widened and shone in the ball of fire I held up in my hand. He took off running.

  “Good choice,” I said aloud to no one but myself.

  The thick chain groaned as I turned it. The gate gave a loud creak as I wrenched it up. On the next pull, water splashed over my back, soaking through the cotton dress. I spun around and sent a blast of fire from my palms, only to be doused in the face. My flames sizzled to nothing while I sputtered and blinked cool water from my eyes. Another bucketful came at me, followed by another. I had the crazed sense I would be drowned while standing on solid ground.

  The next bucket had me coughing and momentarily blinded. It was enough time for the guards to wrench my arms behind my back and tie my wrists together with rope.

  Goosebumps spread across my skin like measles. My hair and gown were saturated, and my teeth chattered despite the balmy night.

  “I know it is you, Melarue. You might as well show yourself.” Albedo’s snarling voice made everything inside me go ice cold.

  I blinked once, twice, three times.

  Empty, discarded buckets were tossed aside. Guards grabbed hold of Ella and Ryo while more closed in, holding torches that crackled with unfriendly fire.

  The tramp team stood behind Albedo, glaring at me with their arms folded. Guards formed a circle around us like a net closing in. All we could do now was thrash around in the web they’d spun around us.

  Albedo’s black hair was disheveled, and he wore no crown, as though he’d been disturbed unexpectedly. The whites of his eyes looked predatory as torchlight made them flash in the dark.

  “Bring me the elf,” Albedo commanded.

  My heart jolted. I thought he meant me, but the guards gripping my arms didn’t push me forward. Instead, Ella was dragged in front of Albedo.

  His voice turned steely as he sneered down at her. “Let’s see my cousin’s whore one last time.”

  White-and-blue hair turned blonde, a golden flicker in the darkness right before Albedo plunged a dagger into Ella’s chest.

  “Nooo!” I screamed, lurching forward.

  Rough hands yanked me back. I twisted out of their grasp only to be pulled and manacled by fingers that dug into my damp, numb arms.

  I knew it was already too late, but that didn’t stop me from fighting to reach Ella before Albedo pulled out his dagger and shoved her to the ground as though she were a straw dummy. She landed on her back, unmoving—not even a twitch.

  Maybe she’d hit her head on the cobblestones. Maybe she was unconscious. Maybe she’d wake up!

  She needed a healer right away. It was only a wound. That’s all. He could have missed her heart. She could still be okay.

  Tears flooded my eyes, blurring my vision and threatening to choke me worse than an entire river of bucket water.

  Although Albedo’s blade had never touched me, it ripped apart my soul. The night felt like it had turned into a black hole devouring all my hopes and future happiness. I didn’t have a lot of friends. Ella felt like one of the few. All I’d wanted was to keep her safe. Her life held more value than a crown. And now that life was no more.

  “I am extremely disappointed in you, Brother,” came the bastard king’s detached voice. “Bracken, teach him a lesson.”

  The guards holding Ryo stepped back as Mr. Bronze marched up to Ryo and punched him in the face. Ryo gave a muffled grunt. I thought that would be all, but the bronzed guard pummeled Ryo again and again. Unable to defend himself or fight back with his arms bound, Ryo fell to the ground where Bracken proceeded to kick him in the ribs.

  “Stop it!” I screamed. “Stop!”

  Bracken continued beating my mate until Ryo went as still as Ella. Even then the brutal guard kept kicking.

  “Stop! Stop! Stop! Please, stop!” I yelled until I went hoarse.

  “Enough.” Albedo’s cruel voice was filled with arrogance, as though he’d simply ordered a footman to cease pouring wine into his goblet.

  “Take Princess Melarue to the dungeons.” He flicked his wrist my way. “Unless another emergency arise
s, no one is to disturb my queen or me until morning.”

  “What about the prince?” Bracken asked.

  A muted groan lifted from the ground.

  I’d lost all feeling, only to have my insides wrenched and twisted during Ryo’s beating. Bile and sorrow clogged my throat at the sight of his limp body on the ground.

  He’s alive, I tried to console myself. At first I’d feared Albedo would have his own brother bludgeoned to death in front of my eyes before slitting my throat to bleed out on the cobblestones alongside my friend and mate.

  But he’d sentenced me to the dungeons. I figured Ryo would share the same fate.

  “Giselle. Jana. See to my brother. Bracken, have your men carry him to his room. The ladies will attend to him there.”

  Bile rose up my throat. “No,” I tried to scream, but it came out as a croak.

  Two guards lifted Ryo by his arms and legs. He sagged in the middle as the guards carried him to the castle, swiftly followed by the tramp team in their sheer white gowns, floating in pursuit like a pair of vengeful ghouls.

  Albedo had spared my life, but a part of me died in that moment.

  The guards at my back pushed me forward, passing ruthless flames from torches that blinded my sight and glared over my water-soaked gown when all I wanted was to be swallowed by the dark.

  Albedo stepped in my path and lifted his thin, long nose to look down at me. The guards pulled me to a stop in front of him.

  He shook his head and tsked. “You should have enjoyed your position while you had the chance.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  Aerith

  Candlelight glowed over the campaigne board in the library, the pieces casting small shadows over the squares.

  Jhaeros moved a white shrub forward. I moved a black. He moved another shrub. My fingers hovered over my mage.

  “Aerith!” Liri yelled as he stormed into the castle library, followed by Galather and Folas.

  Jhaeros and I locked eyes. We stared at one another intently, as though we’d become full-sized pieces watching where the other would go. Ignoring Liri, I moved my fingers from the mage to a shrub and set the piece forward a square.

  “You promised Lyklor the crown of Dahlquist?” Liri blasted.

  I leaned back in the armchair and slid a sideways glance at my brother-in-law’s enclosing figure. He planted himself at my side, legs spread wide and arms folded. The skinny jeans tucked into black hipster boots and long-sleeved gray ribbed tee he’d arrived in made him appear more human than Fae. He’d maintained his short ash-blond hair, which looked annoyingly sexy with his smooth, light skin, and silver eyes that shone between dark lashes.

  I straightened my spine and refocused on the loathing I felt for Liri. “I’m done playing queen. I’m getting my sister back and then I’m going home.”

  Shooting me a look of smug arrogance, Liri grabbed a chair and plopped into it beside me. He thrust his chest out and leaned toward me. “Folas told me your sister is mated to Ryo. This strengthens our family ties.” The game board blended into the table as I turned my full glare on my brother-in-law. “Another Elmray elf.” Liri had the poor taste to widen his smile. “If I’d known of their feelings, I would have given the union my blessing from the beginning.”

  Fury spiked up my spine. The urge to jump to my feet and snarl over his bird shit for brains was prevented by my large belly, weighting me to the chair.

  I had half a mind to remind the condescending bastard that he’d first ordered Ryo to marry Hensley against both parties’ wishes. Albedo had probably done the same thing to Ryo and Mel. I doubted Ryo had objected or minded the way he had when Liri told him he had to mate a human servant. Mel, on the other hand, would have fought the union kicking and screaming. She wasn’t ready for marriage, especially one forced on her. What else had been forced on her? No. I shook my head. I couldn’t think that way. Ryo wasn’t like his siblings or cousins. He’d proven himself loyal, shown me respect. He’d do the same for Mel. But would he push for more? He was a Fae male after all, and he’d had a thing for Mel since the moment he met her.

  A headache took shape inside my skull as my glare intensified.

  “You are not pleased by your sister’s good fortune?” Liri challenged.

  Ignoring his question, I lifted my chin. “I leave for Ravensburg at first light with the full force of Dahlquist’s guards.”

  This information wiped the smirk off Liri’s pale lips. “You cannot leave Dahlquist unguarded.”

  “I will leave a handful of guards and Lyklor on the throne. Dahlquist is not under siege. It is Ravensburg that needs our help. The only reason Albedo managed to take the castle was because Teryani left. I will not make the same mistake she did. I’ll crown Lyklor before I go, unless you’re willing to return and watch over your kingdom while I rescue my sister.”

  Liri leaned back in his chair and folded his arms. “Jastra is out of town with her boyfriend. That leaves me to guard Hensley.”

  I snarled at Liri, who growled back.

  “You know my feelings on this matter.”

  “Then you leave me no choice.” I grasped at the armrests on my chair, pushing up.

  Jhaeros’s jaw tightened, watching my labored progress. He knew not to get up and help me with Liri present. The asshole Fae would see it as a sign of weakness on both our parts. Affection and assistance weren’t offered in public. We had to appear strong and indifferent to personal feelings.

  Liri rose slowly as well. His movement was that of an indolent king in no hurry. “If Dahlquist gets overtaken by Albedo, I am holding you personally responsible.” Liri’s cool tone shivered through the room.

  Galather and Folas stood as still as game pieces. Jhaeros rubbed his thumb against the hilt of a dagger strapped to his hip, staring at Liri all the while. If the arrogant ass bothered to look at Jhaeros, he wouldn’t have missed the threat in his dark elven eyes.

  I narrowed my gaze on Liri. “I already blame you for what’s happened to my sister. If you need someone to blame for anything, look in the mirror. This is your last chance to do the right thing.”

  Liri’s cheeks turned red. He stormed away from me, spun around, and stomped back over. “I gave you my kingdom!” He jerked his hands.

  “It’s not mine, and I didn’t ask for it,” I answered in a calm voice that made his nostrils flare.

  In a flash, Liri stood in front of Galather and Folas. “Aerith is to remain at Dahlquist until I return with Hensley and Jastra.”

  The twin guards looked at one another before facing Liri, their thick, muscled arms folded.

  “You made us swear an oath to serve Aerith,” Folas said, his voice composed like mine while Liri flapped around us.

  “In my absence. I am here right now,” Liri growled.

  “For how long?” Galather challenged.

  “Careful, Folas. I don’t appreciate your tone.”

  “I’m Galather.”

  Liri squinted at the guards then looked at me. I smirked, feeling the same swirl of satisfaction that came over me every time I captured an opponent’s piece in campaigne. Liri was quickly losing all of his sentinels to me—including two of his closest and strongest Fae guards.

  “Shouldn’t you be getting back to your mate?” I lifted a brow.

  “This discussion is far from over, Aerith,” Liri snarled. “You will not look so smug when I return for good.” Despite his anger, he managed to saunter out with his head held high, gliding through the doorframe as though he’d just won a pageant for sexy, stubborn Fae royals.

  “I take it there’s no portal in here,” I remarked.

  “Nope,” Galather said with a smirk.

  Liri was such a selfish prick. He hadn’t even asked to see the brother he’d never met.

  I threw my shoulders back. “So, we crown Lyklor then.”

  “Aerith, this isn’t a game,” Folas grumbled. His gloomy expression sobered me up.

  No, it wasn’t. The fate of two kingdoms was res
ting on my shoulders. My family, along with the guards and staff at Dahlquist, were counting on me.

  “Do you trust me, Folas?” I asked, looking into his eyes.

  He pursed his lips. “You. Yes.”

  “Then trust me now. Lyklor’s feelings for Mel will keep him in line.”

  “She is Ryo’s mate,” Folas gritted out.

  “Being forced to mate under duress is hardly a claiming.” I wasn’t in the mood to rehash this argument, and my anger had all been spent on Liri. “We will see about the . . . situation once we take back Teryani’s kingdom. Tonight, I crown Lyklor. Tomorrow, we ride out for Ravensburg.”

  “You cannot mean to ride in your condition.” Galather stared blatantly at my belly.

  Folas pointed his gray gaze at Jhaeros as though expecting him to object to my folly. Jhaeros met his stare head-on, his silence speaking louder than words.

  “I will take a carriage,” I said.

  “Our progress will be slow,” Galather noted.

  “At least it will be progress.” I cleared my throat before speaking in a commanding voice. “Assemble everyone to the throne room for Lyklor’s coronation. I will not leave Dahlquist without a king.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  Melarue

  “Princess Melarue, please come up off the ground,” spoke the voice of Ella inside the large cell we shared beneath the castle.

  In a cruel twist of fate, I had to face my murdered friend through Kaylin until the glamour wore off.

  Speech deserted me while I sat hunched and shivering on the stone floor, hugging my knees to my chest. Thick stone walls caged me in. A heavy wooden door with a small square window covered in bars blocked the only way out. I was in no hurry to leave my pit of misery. There were no rainbows and unicorns waiting for me on the other side.

  Kaylin grabbed a throw blanket off one of the narrow beds against the wall and started toward me. I closed my eyes so I wouldn’t have to see Ella’s hopeful blue irises still full of life.