“Prepare rooms for my brother, sister, and guests,” Teryani commanded as she swept through the courtyard, issuing orders as if she’d been away on holiday rather than a queen in exile.
Business as usual in Faerie.
Oreal ran into the courtyard dressed in a long black robe and matching slippers. Her hair had been hastily pinned up, and a black crown leaned to one side of her tangled hair.
“What is the meaning of this?” she shrieked.
Teryani’s blue eyes shone cold in the torchlight. For someone dressed in such delicate finery, she appeared menacing as she swept up to Oreal, grabbed the crown, and pulled it off along with chunks of black hair. Oreal screamed and grasped her scalp.
“Go ahead and give this bitch what’s left of my cousin,” Teryani ordered the guard at Liri’s side. As the guard came forward, Teryani snatched the basket from his hands and shoved it at Oreal. “Open it. Go on.”
Oreal shook her head, tears streaming from her eyes. When she continued to refuse the basket, Teryani pulled the head out herself and held it in front of Oreal’s face.
A fresh burst of hysterics went up.
“Remove my cousin’s whore from the castle. I don’t even want her stinking up my dungeons.” Teryani dropped the head in the basket, handed it back to the guard, and waved her gloved hand at Oreal.
I felt no pity for the black-haired bitch who had slapped me and encouraged Albedo in all his evildoings.
She shrieked anew as a guard grabbed her roughly by the arm. “You can’t do this. I am queen. The heir to the throne could soon be growing in my belly.”
Jastra rolled her eyes and folded her arms. She’d looked bored from the onset and completely out of place in human clothes. I would have thought she’d be happy to return home, but she looked annoyed.
“We could kill her now and be done with it,” Liri suggested.
“Albedo’s skank is no threat to me,” Teryani said. “Send her back to Swampia or whatever pit she came from.”
“Frostweather,” I supplied.
Oreal glared at me. I glared back. She should be grateful I wasn’t in a sizzly or stabby mood.
“Queen Teryani!” Shouts arose and magnified as beautiful servants jogged into the courtyard, jumping and clapping their hands. Some fell to their knees and wept joyous tears.
Heart in my throat, I stood on my toes, looking to see if Ryo would appear among them. He was easy to spot by his limp and bruised face as he entered the courtyard. For one second, I was rooted to the ground. Then his brown gaze found me in the crowd, and I ran toward him without a second thought.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Melarue
Music, food, and wine filled the ballroom at Ravensburg.
Staring at the towers of cakes, chocolate truffles, fruit tarts, and macarons in every color, I suspected many of the splendors laid out on the tables had been portaled in. There was no way the kitchen staff could have whipped up all these goodies last minute.
Liri’s guards were being treated like honored guests even though they’d done nothing besides ride over from Dahlquist. I supposed that wasn’t fair. They’d fought off the Ravensburg guards Albedo and Isadore sent over through a portal. Aerith had told me that nine of Dahlquist’s guards had died during the onslaught.
Teryani’s collection of beautiful servants flitted around the ballroom, dancing and laughing with the guards. Kaylin had been released from the dungeon and swept into the ballroom, triumphant in a lovely yellow gown. She’d tried to fetch me sweets and had to be told half a dozen times to go enjoy herself before finally obeying.
Teryani and Liri danced together. Their beauty outshone everyone in the room. It was hard not to stare at them in their crowns, moving gracefully in the center of the gathering like a pair of white-haired gods.
It all felt like some kind of warped dream.
“How can they dance and drink?” I asked, folding my arms over my blouse. I was done with gowns. The only exception I intended to make was for Aerith’s wedding because she was my favorite sister, and I’d do anything for her—even if that included stuffing myself into a frock one last time.
Ryo leaned against a pillar beside me. He’d assured me that his ribs had been healed, and the rest looked worse than it was. I’d also learned that my faithful entourage had slipped the tramp team a sleeping drought while Ryo recovered. He’d been untouched in my absence. If only I could say the same.
Ryo ran a hand through his black hair and gazed into the crowd. “This is how it’s done in Faerie. Shit happens; we move on.”
My heart squeezed. “Is that what we’re doing? Moving on?”
Ryo turned to me, brown eyes slipping down my arm to my left hand. I tightened my fingers into a fist.
“I could never move on from you, Mel.”
My breath stalled. I blinked quickly and looked away. Nearby, a skinny male with long braided brown hair bowed his head to Jastra. She pursed her lips but ended up leading him into the dancing mass.
A male cleared his throat. Jhaeros stepped in front of us. “Mel, I’m going to bed. This isn’t really my scene.”
“You don’t say,” I said with a smirk.
He huffed and turned with an elegance that could rival any royal Fae. “You good, Ryo?” he asked kindly.
My appreciation for Jhaeros grew. I liked it that he asked Ryo if he was fine rather than hounding me the way Aerith did.
Ryo nodded. “Thanks for coming.”
“Of course,” Jhaeros said. “We’ve missed you. You are welcome to stay with us in Pinemist anytime.”
Ryo and I both gaped at Jhaeros.
“Thanks,” Ryo said softly.
A footman walked over with flutes of sparkling wine. Jhaeros sent him away, making me smile. The Fae could keep their damn bubbly wine to themselves.
“Well, enough of this lunacy. I’m resting up for the ride back tomorrow.” Jhaeros gave Ryo’s shoulder a gentle squeeze. “Don’t overexert yourself.”
My cheeks burned.
Did he just—? Ugh, I seriously hoped his reference was to dancing and not other . . . stuff.
Jhaeros sauntered away, moving swiftly for the doors. I was tempted to run out too. Before I had time to recover, Liri swept up and pulled Ryo aside, barely sparing me a glance. Nope, I was just Aerith’s younger, inconsequential sister.
Jastra skipped over, taking Ryo’s spot against the pillar with an exaggerated groan. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I miss the human world.”
“The mortal realm is awesome,” I said, lifting my nose. She didn’t have to sound so exasperated.
“Good thing you traveled while you had the chance. You have responsibilities. You’re one of us now.” Jastra swept her teal ponytail over her shoulder, brandishing an annoyingly content smile.
“What do you mean?” I asked, tightening my arms around my chest.
“A princess of Faerie.”
“I’m no princess, especially not of Faerie.”
Jastra shrugged off my comment. “Look there,” she said, nodding across the ballroom. I squinted, trying to figure out what the heck she wanted me to see. “Your ex-lover is sneaking off with some white-haired female.”
That’s when I noticed Devdan and Sana, hand in hand, ducking out of the ballroom. My stomach tightened, but I felt no burning ball of rage, only resignation. How could I be angry when I’d been with not one, but two males—faeries? Elmrays!
“That’s Sana, an elf from Pinemist,” I tried to sound indifferent.
“Dating your own kind gets boring.” Jastra pulled at the end of her ponytail. “Aerith never liked male Fae, but clearly you do. You should join the family. Choose Ryo or Lyklor. I’d pick Ryo. From what I’ve observed, he’s more obedient than Lyklor. Plus, you won’t have to worry about him lying to you.”
“It’s not your decision or any of your business,” I growled.
Jastra pushed off the pillar and smirked. “I think I’m going to enjoy having you as part of
our family.”
I stuck my tongue out as she backed away. Jastra laughed and winked before spinning around. She grabbed a flute of bubbling wine from a passing footman and lifted it in the air.
Ryo slipped back into the spot Jastra had vacated, casting a wary look her way. “What did Jastra want?”
“To annoy me,” I said with a huff. “What about Liri?”
Ryo brushed dark strands of hair off his face. “He wanted to make sure I was returning to Dahlquist tomorrow and to assure me he still considers me immediate family even though I’m his cousin, not brother.”
“And what a loving brother he is,” I said sarcastically.
“I don’t know. I think love and life in the mortal realm has helped him mellow out.”
“I guess you didn’t see Albedo’s severed head.”
Ryo wrinkled his nose.
“Are you upset that your blood brother is dead?” I asked.
His jaw clenched. “Not even the tiniest bit.”
I nodded. “Good. He was the worst.”
“I only wish Liri would dispatch Malon the same way. He didn’t like me questioning his decision.”
I huffed. “Knowing Liri, it only made him more determined to keep the snake locked up like some kind of exotic and deadly pet.” Remembering Ella made me think maybe Malon deserved a life sentence trapped in a cell. He hadn’t been the one to kill my friend, but he would have forced himself on her and not hesitated to end her life if she displeased him. Given the chance, he would have hurt me too.
Ryo’s eyebrows gathered into one pinched line. “Before he left Ravensburg, Albedo told me he was giving you to Lyklor.” My belly knotted at the unspoken question hanging in the air between us. “Liri told me it was all part of a ruse.”
“Um, yeah.” I scuffed the floor with my booted toe. Ryo needed to know the truth. No secrets between us. “Before Albedo delivered me to Dahlquist, Isadore blew lust dust over me.”
The heat radiating off Ryo’s face was hard to acknowledge. I focused on the dancing masses.
“Did Lyklor take advantage?” Ryo demanded.
“No, he tried to fight me off.”
“Right. I’m sure he tried really hard.” Ryo crossed his arms and dropped them heavily over his chest.
“He did! I was just too far gone and . . .” Ugh. I couldn’t finish that sentence. I’d already shared too much for one night. I didn’t want to tell Ryo I cared about Lyklor. I liked them both.
“I haven’t even met the bastard yet, and I already hate him.” Ryo bared his teeth at an approaching footman who quickly changed course. His arms loosened, and he looked around before taking my hand and pulling me around the pillar to the side facing the wall. Brown eyes glowed as they looked into mine. “I don’t want to let you go, Mel. Not if I have a chance. I know circumstances pushed us together, but what I feel for you is real. I liked being your mate.” He offered a hopeful smile.
My heart melted in his loving gaze. I reached my left hand to his bruised cheek and touched him gently.
“I liked it too,” I admitted.
Ryo and I left the ballroom while the celebration was still in full swing. We passed by the goodies and spirits, making our way to our old suite. We spent the night together fully clothed, no funny business. Jastra, of course, just happened to be loitering outside our room in the hall when we emerged in the morning.
Her smirk made me want to march up and inform her that nothing had happened. But it wasn’t any of her business, so I glowered in her direction instead.
Liri wanted to ride out immediately after breakfast, which sounded fantastic to me. I had no desire to stick around Ravensburg castle or return anytime soon.
Jhaeros and Ryo rode beside me on the way back to Dahlquist. When we stopped to water the horses, Ryo went over and spoke briefly with Devdan, Keerla, and Sana, asking the same questions I had about the state of Pinemist since our departure. I stayed beside Jhaeros on the river’s edge, not feeling social.
I couldn’t help noticing the warm smiles Devdan and Sana shared, the way they stuck together like a pair of love doves. I wanted to be happy for them, but it still hurt. Dev and I had adventured together. We’d had fun. We could have had more. What future did I possibly have with a Fae prince? It had taken less than a month to go stir-crazy in the castle. I couldn’t possibly survive a lifetime here as part of the royal family. Unlike Aerith, a game of campaigne wasn’t enough to calm my spirits.
“We’ve lingered long enough,” Liri announced, already atop his white steed.
Jhaeros and I mounted, following close to the front of the line as we rode the final stretch of road to Dahlquist.
Shortly after reaching the castle courtyard, a portal was opened for Keerla, Devdan, and Sana to return home. We said quick goodbyes. I’d be returning soon, myself, but I wouldn’t be going in search of Devdan when I got back. No more cider and sweet rolls at market. No surfing and skiing in the mortal realm. No more kisses. As Dev disappeared in the rippling circle, I wondered if we could truly be friends.
Lyklor was noticeably absent when Aerith and Folas greeted our returning party into the castle. Liri and Jastra didn’t stick around long after pulling Aerith aside to speak in hushed whispers. Ryo and I offered solemn condolences to Folas, whose eyes brimmed with tears at the mention of his deceased twin. I hugged the blond giant tightly. Folas patted my back gently.
“He’s living it up in the sky realm now.” Folas attempted a chuckle, but it strained and cracked, causing tears to flood my eyes.
“Maybe he and Ella can keep each other company.” His tunic muffled my voice. I blinked back tears, sucked air through my nostrils, and swallowed past the lump that had formed in my throat.
Nearby, I overheard Aerith telling Ryo that healers were waiting to tend to him in his room.
Folas tipped my chin with his hand and searched my eyes. “How about you, Red? Doing okay?”
“I just wish I’d been there for the battle,” I said grudgingly.
Folas’s grip tightened for a brief instant on my chin. “I’m glad you weren’t,” he growled.
“After everyone has had a chance to dust off the road, we will meet in the throne room,” Aerith announced. I gave Folas one final squeeze. My path to Ryo was blocked by my sister, who took my arm and swept me down the corridor. “I’ll show you to our rooms.”
Okay then.
“What happens now?” I asked her.
“I promised Liri we’d stay one more night. Tomorrow we return home.” Aerith gave my arm an eager squeeze, but my stomach tightened. So soon? What about Ryo and Lyklor? Maybe Jastra was right about choosing Ryo. We had more history together than Lyklor and me. We’d been mates. Ryo had said he wanted to travel. Maybe we could enjoy new adventures of our own. Liri might not feel as controlling over Ryo now that he’d learned they were cousins rather than brothers. The attention would fall on Lyklor. I was sure the silver-tongued Fae would love that. I grimaced on Lyklor’s behalf. The feeling swirled into something more pleasurable as I remembered the drag of his tongue ring over my breasts. Heat flared between my thighs.
“I’m more than ready to go,” Jhaeros said from beside Aerith.
“Me too,” she said.
They waited, as though expecting me to voice my agreement. I kept silent, cursing the ache throbbing low in my belly.
“Isn’t the royal wing in the opposite direction?” I asked as Aerith took us around another corner.
She huffed and rolled her eyes. “I wasn’t about to stick around the queen’s chambers with Liri and Hensley back at the castle. I hope they like unicorns.” Aerith smirked. “I took the liberty of arranging guest chambers in Sarfina’s wing. We have neighboring rooms.”
I screwed up my face. “Ew. I want to be able to sleep tonight.”
“Good,” Aerith said. “Because that’s all you’ll be doing.”
“You’re being a total brat right now.”
“I’m being a big sister.”
“I’m not a child anymore.”
“I know that.” Aerith sighed. She stopped at a door and turned the handle, opening it to a chamber decorated in every color of the rainbow. There was an actual rainbow painted over the headboard of what looked like a gingerbread frame. I wrinkled my nose. “It’s only for one night,” Aerith said. “I’ll come collect you when it’s time to head over to the throne room. I’m right next door.” She pointed one door over, which opened as though on command.
Peridot stepped out, grinning, and swished over to us. “I thought I heard voices. I see Jhaeros and Miss Mel have returned. Do you need anything?”
“I’ll take care of Jhaeros. You see to Mel,” Aerith instructed.
Bossy much? Jhaeros was a grown male who could take care of himself. Unless—that was code for something else. Ew. Time to exit the hallway.
I walked into Candy Land, waiting for Peridot to follow me in before closing the door. Bright blue and yellow swirled glass sculptures pillared each side of the doorframe. Out of focus, the chamber’s décor looked like one messy finger painting. The kaleidoscope of colors weaving around the room made me rub my temples and groan.
Peridot frowned. “Oh no, has your headache returned?” Being in Faerie was a constant headache. When I didn’t answer, Peridot stepped in front of me. “I can have another tincture prepared.”
Something about that statement piped through my ears like a train whistle. My heart stuttered to a halting beat inside my chest. Slowly, I lowered my hands away from my head. “What do you mean another tincture?” I asked slowly.
“Like the one you requested before—for your headache.”
My jaw dropped to the ground and remained on the swirling red-and-white carpet for several seconds before I managed to crank my lips back together. “I didn’t need a tincture for a headache. I needed it to avoid pregnancy.”
Peridot’s eyes widened. She blinked rapidly.
“Peridot, tell me you gave me the right kind of tincture.”
Her chin trembled. “I’m sorry, Miss Mel. I misunderstood!” She burst out. “I thought your head was troubling you. I didn’t realize. Can you ever forgive me?” She threw her face into her hands.
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