Curse of the Fae Moon: Allied Kingdoms Academy Book 2

by J. M. Kearl

  Drawing back an arrow with my new bow, I narrowed my vision to a rotten apple on a tree. Purposefully, I aimed too low and let the arrow fly. The pointed tip curved up and tore through the apple then it circled back around and landed at my feet. Firo and the girls had failed to mention that the bow’s enchantment not only always hit the intended mark, the magic brought the arrow back to its user.

  I did this over and over while I waited for Zyacus’s sparring practice for the upcoming tournament to end. All of my friends had been conveniently busy studying or practicing or smooching on someone.

  The monotony of shooting over and over left me plenty of time to think. And it hit me that since the bird incident in Hesstia something strange had happened each week. The unexpected creature in the arena with the trolls. The scarlet moon. The loss of our plant food. I worried that the animals would soon go hungry and we’d lose our meat and dairy as well.

  I dreaded to find out what would come next. I dreaded my people wouldn’t fight when the Fae came. My vision and Nimblewatt both told of a different outcome. Happy lambs to the slaughter. The trouble was I had no idea how to stop it.

  Chapter 22

  The first Seventh Year Tournament arrived, and the academy was electric with excitement. Especially with all the doom and gloom, the students needed some entertainment—I needed something to get my mind off my worries.

  Zyacus had again qualified even though he wasn’t a seventh-year student. I stood outside my grandmother Madison’s office waiting for her to return. With my new-found magical strength and my training with Father, I deserved to be in the tournament and she decided on the contenders.

  The sound of tapping footsteps bounced around the hall. I pushed from the wall I’d been leaning on to find Bindy and Madison headed my way.

  “You’re back,” I said, pointing out the obvious.

  “Unfortunately with no new information,” Bindy said. “The merfolk retreated to the ocean as soon as the blood moon shown in the sky. And we have no record of the Fae anywhere.”

  “My parents weren’t able to meet with King Utrahn?”

  “Your parents have set a date to meet with the King of the Ocean,” Bindy replied. “The merfolk finally replied and it will happen at the beginning of next month.”

  “But the blood moon will end this month. We need answers now.”

  Madison scoffed. “King Utrahn is conveniently away for the next few weeks. And for your safety, Bindy came back.” With a wave of her hand the door to her office opened and the three of us went inside. I sat in the big comfy chair in the corner and propped my legs over the side of the armrest. “I want to fight in the tournament.”

  Madison sat at her desk and leaned back in the chair. “Zyacus will fight tonight. You can be in the next tournament.” She leveled me with her serpentine gaze. “You won’t fight each other. Given your feelings, it wouldn’t be worth watching anyway. It would likely embarrass the both of you.”

  Alright, embarrass was a stretch. Sure we wouldn’t go full force but it wouldn’t be embarrassing. “So I’ll fight next tournament?” I didn’t know if there would be a next with all the crazy stuff going on.

  “First indulge me. If you win and he wins, eventually you will have to face each other in a championship tournament, what will happen?” Madison crossed one leg over the other.

  I hadn’t thought about that scenario. I supposed it would play out like any other match we’d have against each other. I lifted a shoulder. “One of us would win.”

  Madison let out a humorless laugh. “At what cost? Of your relationship? Your reputations? One of you will back down and I have a fairly good guess who. You’d both look weak.”

  “There’s no guarantee that both of us would be in the championship.”

  “Oh, I’ll make sure that you two don’t face each other,” Madison cooed. “Unless you break it off with him or vice versa, of course. Then we’d see some real entertainment in that arena.”

  “You would like that.”

  Madison cackled until Bindy strolled from the corner of the room, cutting into the conversation, “Zyacus wouldn’t look weak for backing down from a fight with Visteal. He’d likely be more admired for it.”

  I tilted my head. So they think he would be the one to back down. Interesting. “He wouldn’t hurt me and I wouldn’t hurt him.”

  “I’m well aware.” Madison all but rolled her eyes.

  Her demeaning tone bothered me sometimes. “Did you fight Jordane?” I snapped. They’d met at academy and married right after graduation.

  At that, she squirmed a little in her chair. “I never got the chance.”

  “Because you weren’t equally matched in skill? I heard you were one of the best and so was he.”

  Madison lifted her chin. “Because he lost on purpose before we had the chance.”

  I folded my arms. “So Papa sacrificed his own reputation for you. Sounds like love not weakness to me.”

  With a small but genuine smile Madison leaned forward. “Yes.” Then her face grew serious. “And those we love can be used against us. It is a weakness. Never forget that.”

  ∞∞∞

  My friends and I arrived early to the tournament arena to get a good seat. We found a front-row bench with a great view. I stood at the end of our line of friends by the stairway. Taz stood on my left, then Lora and Legacy. Freya had “found other friends” apparently. When I saw her a few benches up with another boy, I figured now was as good a time as any to ask Taz about what happened.

  At my question he shrugged. “It wasn’t working out.”

  Taz usually opened up to me so I pressed. “Why? You two seemed happy like a week ago.”

  Taz’s golden eyes drifted to me. “It’s not that there was anything wrong per se,” his voice trailed off for a moment, “I lost interest. She’s nice and pretty but there was never any real spark. Having conversations was hard for some reason. It felt like we had nothing to talk about. So we usually just kissed but I want more than a physical relationship.”

  I half smiled and rubbed his arm. “You’re such a great guy, Taz.”

  His cheeks colored. “Thanks.”

  “We should get some happy unicorn cookies before the matches start.”

  Taz shook his head. “They’re not selling them with the famine. It’s the worst.”

  “Oh,” I murmured. “I forgot.”

  “I’m getting real sick of cheese, beans, and oats.”

  I watched groups of students filing into the stands as the time to start neared. “I have a feeling it’s not going to get better any time soon.”

  Taz’s eyes suddenly widened. “Did you hear about the storms? Thunder so loud it shakes the ground. Lightning striking and setting off massive fires.”

  I had not heard this. “When did this happen?”

  “Yesterday. I heard the storms are in Collweya.”

  One more thing to add to the list. Cheering erupted as a Delhoon girl took the center of the arena with her hands raised. A second girl entered, from Collweya and waved at those of us in the stands. Soon the clash of swords and crack of magic filled the air.

  When our girl in black, brandishing a crimson phoenix on her armored chest won, the crowd roared a deep, “Delhoooooon,” drawing out the “o” sound.

  I checked the list and Zyacus wasn’t up for several matches and my bladder was about to explode. “I’ll be right back,” I said, racing down the steps. I spelled to the entrance of the bathroom and after I finished my business I washed my hands. I checked my hair and makeup in the mirror, satisfied with the look of things, I stepped out of the exit.

  “Good evening, Princess.”

  I startled at the male voice and whipped to my left to see Firo Hazelvale. Ugh, did this guy live here now? He wasn’t a student or professor, and last I checked he didn’t belong to the guard.

  “Firo,” I said with a nod and headed for the stands.

  He materialized in front of me, forcing me to skid to a halt.
Lifting my eyebrows I waited for an explanation.

  “I have a question you may know the answer to. Would you help me out, your highness?”

  “If I can.” I truly did not want to help Firo, I didn’t trust the man but I couldn’t be rude to one of our biggest benefactors.

  “Do you see the death of everyone you touch or only certain people?” He stepped closer to me. “Could you see mine?”

  My heart spasmed, how does he know about my curse?! I took in a deep breath to calm myself. “Not everyone.”

  He held out his hand, offering it as if I should take it. “Will you indulge me?”

  My eyes narrowed at him. This was what I’d always wanted to avoid; the masses begging me to try to foresee their death so they could try to change the outcome. I never wanted to be a seer for hire. I wouldn’t be.

  “I don’t think I will.” Even if I did see his death he couldn’t change it. I’d learned that too many times over now. When I went to step around him he grasped my arm. Although Legacy had tried to get me to wear something that showed a little more skin again, I’d opted for a long-sleeved shirt. “Get your hand off me.”

  “I don’t like being told no.” His voice lacked malice; rather he sounded as if he were being playful.

  “I said, get your hand off me.” My voice on the other hand, held plenty of malice for the both of us.

  His grip didn’t loosen. “If you don’t, perhaps you’ll get a premonition of the death of one of your friends in the near future.”

  I couldn’t believe what he’d just said. “Excuse me?” I balked. Then I twisted in his grasp, I went to shove him with my other hand and he caught it. He clamped his hand around mine—skin to skin. He watched me waiting for something. A flash of panic zipped through me but when nothing happened, I jerked back.

  “You didn’t see anything,” he stated.

  “No.” I clenched my teeth together. How dare he force the contact and threaten my friends to get his way. “Your punishment for threatening me may not be death but you will leave this academy tonight and never come back.”

  “Oh, I don’t think so,” he purred.

  “Why are you even here?” I wanted to threaten him, to tell him I’d force him to leave with my influence but I thought it prudent to ask some questions first.

  “I’m recruiting for my family. Checking out the prospects.”

  “For what?”

  He curled his fingers and checked his nails as if bored with the conversation. “To protect family interests. There’s a variety of things we need people for.”

  “Recruit elsewhere. I don’t want you here anymore.”

  “Is that a command?” he asked in a condescending tone that made me want to stab him.

  I rushed him and wrapped my hand around his neck, squeezing hard. He may be bigger and stronger than me but I paralyzed him with magic. “I am your princess and you will respect me and do as I say.”

  A serpent smile tugged at his mouth. “Oh, you’re going to fit right in.”

  “Fit in where? What are you talking about?”

  “If I told you, it wouldn’t be fun,” he cooed. “And I love a good game.” Then with puckered lips he blew me a kiss and vanished from my grasp.

  I whirled in a circle in search of him but he was gone. He shouldn’t have been able to so easily escape my spell’s hold.

  When I reached my spot in the stands I informed Taz of my strange encounter with Firo. Taz’s expression grew angry when I told him how he’d tried to force my curse. “How does he even know about it?”

  “That’s pressing, yes but I’m more concerned about his recruiting. He said that I would fit in, I can’t be recruited to work for his family for obvious reasons.”

  “We need to find out more about the Hazelvales. Like tonight.”

  I nodded. “After Zyacus fights let’s go check the library. There’s bound to be something on them. If not, then my great grandparents will know them. They’ve been one of the wealthiest families in Delhoon alongside the Hazelvales for centuries.”

  “Oh, on your mother’s side right?”

  “Yes, Madison hates them and my mother only tolerates them for so long so they’re not around much.”

  The crowd began to chant “Zy-a-cus” drawing my eyes to the arena floor. I snatched the roster out of Taz’s hand. Zyacus would fight—oh dragons fire—Kyan. My heart practically jumped in my throat. Kyan’s superior vampire strength and speed couldn’t be matched in a one on one fight for long. Then throw in the fact that he’s magic born and they don’t like each other.

  I tried to calm my erratic pulse with a couple deep breaths. The fights were not to the death but I didn’t want to watch Zyacus take a beating either.

  They stood face to face. While in between them, Madison explained the rules. Her voice carried throughout the arena. “You will fight until you get your opponent into a killing position or until they surrender or until the match is stopped. Understood?”

  Both boys nodded and took several steps backward.

  “Begin!” Madison shouted and disappeared.

  A blast of white light ripped from Zyacus’s hands while a red beam exploded from Kyan’s. The two attacks clashed in the center and a battle of power began.

  Taz leaned closer. “Who do you think is stronger?”

  Zyacus’s magic came from his stone and didn’t drain his energy but where Kyan was a vampire, he might not tire as quickly as a human. “Umm, I think Zyacus will win this magical battle.” But I wasn’t so sure about the match.

  “Me too,” Taz said then let out a whistle followed by, “Come on Zyacus!”

  As the magic shifted back and forth for several seconds, Kyan dove to the side and Zyacus’s magic crashed into the wall.

  The crowd let out a collective “Woah!”

  Sword drawn, Kyan closed the distance between him and Zyacus in seconds. I’d seen him move faster but he was still quicker than any human. But everyone would likely conclude a magic speed spell.

  Their swords clashed and rang. Both swinging and hacking furiously. All the matches were intense but this one had me biting my nails. It looked like they wanted to kill each other. Maybe they did.

  Zyacus slashed Kyan’s arm and I gasped. A blow like that could nearly sever it from his body. Blood stained the fabric but didn’t drench it like I thought it would. Perhaps it wasn’t too deep.

  Ducking, spinning, shoving, tossing magic in between swings, the two of them fought ferociously. A green glow suddenly emanated from Kyan’s sword and when it hit Zyacus’s again, he flew back at least twenty feet. His arms flailing until he hit the ground.

  Slow to get to his feet, I screamed, “Get up! Get up!” as Kyan dashed for him. A hard knee collided with Zyacus’s chin, he fell back, his body crashing onto the sand floor. All movement stopped.

  Taz turned to me with huge eyes. “Holy phoenix, Zyacus got knocked out.”

  Cheers and boos erupted in a wave across the arena.

  I dashed down the steps and meant to jump over the railing but I hit an invisible wall. Damn it. I slammed my hand against it and cursed. The barrier kept magic attacks from hitting the crowd and also prevented anyone from jumping in or using their own magic to intervene.

  When I finally got to the entry to the arena, Zyacus pushed through the door, seething with anger. His wild eyes met mine and I stared at the blood trickling from his nose.

  “Are you alright?” I asked, tentatively reaching for him.

  “I’m here walking, aren’t I?” He hadn’t used such a condescending tone with me in a long time. “Clearly I’m alright.”

  Good pixie he was a sore loser. “You were unconscious. I just wanted to make sure you were—”

  “Like I said, I’m good.” He glared at me and then walked by with a determined gait.

  “You lost. Get over it. Everyone loses.” When he didn’t turn around to acknowledge me I spelled in front of him and shoved him in the chest. “Don’t ignore me.”

&nbs
p; “I lost to someone who doesn’t belong at this academy. He’s a filthy blood drinker.”

  I lowered my voice. “How would Aric feel if he heard you?”

  His face softened but he still clenched his jaw. “I need some time alone. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “And when I do see you, you better have an apology.”

  He vanished without a word. Bastard.

  Chapter 23

  Just because Zyacus wanted to be a jerk didn’t mean my night had to end. I quickly found Taz and the two of us made for the library.

  A gray and brown tabby cat greeted us by the door. “Good evening. How may I assist you?” he asked. The cute red bowtie around his neck made me internally say in a high pitched voice, “Ahhh. Soooo cute.” But he’d probably be offended if I said it out loud. Male cats didn’t consider themselves “cute.”

  I kept forgetting to ask about my guardian cat, who still hadn’t returned with any information. Did he leave academy grounds? Cats could teleport over long distances so he might but our guardians weren’t supposed to leave when students were here. “Have you seen Atticus around?”

  The tabby shook his head. “No, I have not, Princess.”

  Hmmm, his disappearance was troubling.

  “Are there any documents or books on the Hazelvale family from Delhoon?” Taz asked.

  His tail flicked back and forth. “I do not believe so. If this is for a report I would suggest choosing a warlord or a family connected to the royal line. There are plenty of documents and books on them. Perhaps there would be information on the Hazelvales in the Delhoon library, but we are somewhat limited here.”

  “Thank you,” I said and nudged Taz’s arm to leave. Halfway down the hallway I turned to Taz. “I’ll contact my great grandmother Melody, you know Madison’s mother, and set up a meeting for tomorrow.”

  When I got to my room Sir Gideon, one of my favorite cats from back home was asleep on my pillow. Ugh, now I’d have to be spitting cat hair when I woke up in the morning. Legacy wasn’t in her bed. I guessed she was with Lora or her new boy toy.