King of the Mountains

by Elizabeth Frost

  And in remembering all these things, she also remembered what it was like to be human.

  She couldn’t let him do this. Liam would sacrifice all he was for a goal he didn’t want.

  With a guttural scream, she slammed her hand against the ground. She didn’t take from the earth this time. She gave it all her anguish and rage. All her disappointment in its king and the bright glimmering light of love burning in her chest every time she saw him.

  Morgan gave it the gift of human emotions she hadn’t felt in centuries. Feelings she had forced herself to forget so she could become one of the magic creatures. Feelings she’d been born with and had forgotten long ago.

  And the earth swallowed it up.

  It lapped at her emotions like she’d poured sweet wine upon it. The ground shivered with the weight of love. It quaked with the bitter taste of fear. And it split in two at the horrific sadness of losing him.

  The earth opened up in a great crack that echoed through the forest like thunder. It broke between her and Liam. The ground shattered like glass under his foot and one dark tendril of witch magic reached up and wrapped around his foot.

  The Mountain King paused, shook his leg, then realized he couldn’t free it from the grasp of her magic.

  He heaved a great, annoyed sigh. “Why are you doing this, witch? Just give up.”

  Laying on the ground, all she could do was stare at him. Her body shook with exhaustion and sadness. Morgan felt all her energy drain.

  That was it.

  That was all she had left.

  Blowing out a breath, she licked her lips and replied, “Because I love you. I don’t know how to explain it, but I do. More than life itself.”

  Another crack of thunder made her ears ache. She couldn’t cover them with her hands, so instead she suffered through the ringing in her head.

  When she could hear again, she noted the crunch of dead grass. The Mountain King knelt beside her and gently lifted her into his lap.

  When she blinked, she stared up into the warm green eyes she’d fallen so desperately in love with. The elemental had retreated. Her Liam, her Mountain King, had returned.

  “Oh thank god,” she muttered, slumping. “I didn’t think I would get you back.”

  “I didn’t think you were so foolish you’d try to take your own life,” he grumbled. His hands smoothed along her sides, easing over her sore muscles and shaking limbs. “What were you thinking, fool woman?”

  “You planned to take the throne.”

  “But I wasn’t leaving you.”

  Morgan reached up and cupped his cheek, holding him in place so he had to look at her. “You were leaving me. Don’t pretend you weren’t. You were about to take the coward’s way out so you didn’t have to feel pain anymore.”

  He winced. “It breaks my heart to hear you say that.”

  “And it breaks mine to know you would sacrifice an entire world because you don’t have faith in them.” Morgan slid her hand to the back of his neck and tugged him lower. “Trust me, Liam. Let the humans have this realm and let them fix it. Slowly, yes, but they will.”

  “I don’t know how.” A single tear formed in his eyes. The drop fell onto her cheek and slid down into her hair.

  Morgan leaned up and pressed her lips against his. “I will teach you. Did you not hear me, you idiot? I love you. I love you so much I can barely breathe sometimes, and I can’t go on without you.”

  “I heard you.” He kissed her back, his lips warm and soft. “But I fear I don’t deserve that love.”

  “Love isn’t about deserving. It’s about giving a piece of yourself and trusting the other person won’t break it.” She stroked the high peak of his cheekbone. “And I know you won’t break me, Liam.”

  “Oh, my love,” he whispered. “What am I going to do with you?”

  Morgan opened her mouth to reply, only to pause. Green magic flooded through her body. It healed all her hurts, pushing through sore muscles and aching bones. It filled the well of her magic, which had been bone dry. She could feel it on the tips of her fingers. Spreading and soothing everything it touched.

  He stopped too soon.

  Shaking her head in denial, Morgan said, “No. You cannot contain all the magic of the elemental. Give me more, Liam.”

  “It will kill you.”

  “It won’t.” She could feel it bubbling inside her but not burning. “I can hold it. You don’t have to be alone, Liam.”

  Liam leaned away from her, a question in his gaze. “Was this your plan all alone?”

  Morgan didn’t think it had been. She wasn’t even sure they could do this now, let alone a few moments ago. But if he was overwhelmed by the amount of power in him, then let her use it. Together, they could temper the elemental and create new life.

  “No,” she admitted. “But it’s my plan now.”

  He didn’t hesitate. Liam released all the magic he could into her body. She tossed her head back, and the world turned green.

  Magic, so pure and so raw, flowed through her veins like roots. It tangled around her heart and soul, becoming one piece that solidified into an emerald in her chest. This was the magic she’d always desired. Magic she knew she could control if only she took the throne.

  But she didn’t want a throne. All Morgan wanted was a quiet life, in a little cottage, with faeries at her feet.

  Morgan sent all the overflowing power into the ground. She healed the burned grass. She fed the trees and the flowers until a meadow burst to life around them, flowering and enticing bees to dance on every petal.

  And when she was done, all the power that had burned through Liam quieted. The green glow in his eyes dimmed. Even the crackle of magic at his fingertips was gone.

  He leaned over her, breathing hard with his mouth agape. “It’s gone,” he whispered.

  “For good?”

  “No, just... asleep.” His eyes widened in shock. “You tamed it.”

  “We tamed it.” Morgan squeezed his bicep, reassuring him with her body as her vision blurred. The magic had taken its toll on her body, not painfully so, but it had made her exhausted. “Take me home, Liam. To the little cottage you built with mud faeries and sassy snakes.”

  “I thought you said you wanted to stay here?” He scooped her up into his arms, lifting her as he stood. “You wanted normality and humankind.”

  “I was wrong,” she whispered. “I just want you.”

  26

  Liam stretched his arms over his head, listening to the crack of his spine in the crisp morning air. Birds sang in the distance along with the wind rustling through the trees. He’d just finished chopping the last bit of wood for winter.

  Each piece was done by hand. He ensured the trees knew that even though they were dead, their pieces would assist their king.

  Of course, he also had a queen now who constantly planted seedings in every open spot. His lips curled in pleasure. She liked it here far more than he’d thought she would.

  Morgan had been so forthright in wanting to live in the human realm for the rest of her life, he’d thought she’d put up a fight coming here. No one wanted to feel as though they were in a prison, so he kept the portals open for her.

  Always.

  He rounded the house with a grin on his face. He’d been doing that lately. Smiling like he hadn’t a care in the world.

  In a way, he supposed he didn’t anymore. The elemental remained quiet and pleased in his head. Though the creature still swelled with power, there was now an outlet. A way for Liam to control the beast and satisfy the creature who had wanted nothing more than destruction.

  The door to their cabin opened, and Morgan stepped out to greet him. Arcane curled around her bicep, his head on her shoulder and eyes closed as he enjoyed the heat of the sun.

  But it was the smile on her face that made his soul soar. They hadn’t really gotten to know each other before all this. Not when she was trying to kill him and he was trying to end the world.

  Now, th
ey had the space to learn and grow. They could ask the silly questions like what was her favorite color and did she want flowers or jewels?

  He’d asked more questions every single day, wanting to absorb every aspect of who she was.

  His pace quickened until he was right in front of her. Liam scooped her up by the waist and tugged her against his chest. Growling under his breath, he leaned down and inhaled the rose petal scent of her hair. “What is your favorite sweet treat, queen of mine?”

  “Oh, today’s question is about candy?” she asked. She tossed her head back and shook the long mane of her ebony hair. “Truffles,” she replied. “Chocolate truffles.”

  “With caramel centers?”

  “No, vanilla. Rather boring like that I suppose.”

  He couldn’t imagine a single aspect of her was boring, no matter how much she wanted to convince him. He lifted her up into the air, feet dangling and laughing dancing through the air. “Vanilla sounds lovely. Especially drizzled atop these beautiful, wonderful pillows.”

  He pressed a kiss against her revealed chest, only to hear her squeal. She always shouted like that. As if the sound wasn’t temptation enough for him to lick his tongue through the crevice.

  “Liam!” she shouted. “Stop it!”

  In his ear, he heard an answering hiss. “Yes, please. Stop that.”

  Ah, right. Arcane.

  Hysterical laughter echoed from within the cottage, and one of Monstera’s roots poked out of the ground. Clearly his old friend was enjoying herself.

  Cheeks burning, Liam placed Morgan back onto the ground and patted Arcane’s head. “Sorry old friend.”

  “I’m not invisible,” the snake muttered. “I’m right here. I’ve always been here and instead, you’re just ignoring me.”

  “I’m not ignoring you.”

  “Ignoring.” Arcane released his hold on Morgan’s arm and slithered down to the ground. Flicking his tongue at them, he moved off through the garden while grumbling about inappropriate lovebirds.

  Morgan chuckled.

  She looked so lovely in this place he’d created. Her hair glimmered in the sunlight, black giving way to shades of blue and violet. She’d taken to wearing clothing similar to his own. Billowy peasant shirts in shades of white and cream tucked into tight, dark pants that made his mind run wild with ideas. Most involving peeling them off her long legs and licking his way back up.

  Distracting. That was the only word for a woman like her.

  Her arms were full of vine clippings today. English ivy tangled through her hair and made a crown atop her head like a wreath. She grinned up at him and tilted her head to the side. “Done already?”

  “With what?” He hadn’t the faintest idea what she was talking about.

  “Chopping wood.”

  “Ah.” Right, he’d been doing that only a few moments ago. She always made his mind wander. Liam scratched the back of his neck and nodded. “Done.”

  “Good, you can help me plant these then.” She deposited an entire armful of plants into his waiting grip and wiped her hands on her hips.

  He shifted all the ivy and reached out to touch a finger to her cheek. Green magic flowed from him into her. This was how they always managed it now. Just a tiny bit, whenever he saw her. Enough to take the edge off and enough to share.

  Morgan smiled and pressed a kiss against his fingertip. “We have work to do, love.”

  “Love,” he said, his voice a guttural groan. “You know how much I adore it when you call me that.”

  Her grin was wicked and full of pleasurable promises. “Oh I know. I love it just as much as you do.” She nodded toward the garden. “Now go plant those in the ground around the house. They’ve been in glass jars all week and are more than ready for their new home. Plants first.”

  All the faeries in the world didn’t hold a candle to his green witch who knew how to spread love wherever she went.

  Liam tromped over to the side of the house, but not before he saw her spin around and lift a mud faerie into the air. It had a strange glint of metal tucked against the lily pad atop its head.

  “You again!” she shouted, her voice too loud to be angry. “What did I tell you about sneaking through the garden?”

  As she tossed the mud faerie up into the air and caught it gently in her arms, he realized this was what he’d been missing.

  Liam might have created a realm for the Mountain King, but he’d never had a family.

  Not until now.

  Not until her.

  Epilogue

  Read on for a sneak peek of the next book, King of the Frost

  The children screamed on the swing set, kicking their feet up to the clouds and shouting to the high heavens. For a second, Ayla didn’t see their cheerful faces. She saw war ragged expressions, haunted and horrified children who knew their parents weren’t coming home.

  Not now, not ever.

  Shaking her head, she waved a hand. “Don’t swing too high! Remember what I said!”

  Her nephew only kicked his feet with more purpose. “Auntie Ayla! I’m a big boy now. I can go higher than all the other kids!”

  Maybe he could, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t rip out her heart with every movement. Maybe this was why her brother wanted Ayla to watch the twins rather than any other nanny. She couldn’t bear the thought of them hurting themselves. It was like taking out a piece of her own heart.

  Of course, she’d always been like this. Even in the waiting room of the hospital, she’d paced back and forth. Her heart had hammered between her ribs and she’d sent prayers to a God she didn’t believe.

  “Please let them live,” she had said repeatedly. “If you ever thought kindly of my people, or if I’ve ever done anything in your light, let them live.”

  Ian and Ivan were born on the winter solstice like princes to Ayla’s fairytale. Although, when they were out and about, she called them gremlins. They loved to cause trouble wherever they went. She could always read the mischief in their expressions.

  Ayla sometimes saw other faces laid over theirs. Little monsters who crawled out of the shadows and unlaced shoes, poured sugar out of bowls, and kicked dust bunnies out from under the couch.

  When she was very little, she hadn’t understood the strange thoughts that sometimes appeared in her mind. Her brother, Henry, had been far more understanding. When her parents had called her visions an overactive imagination, he’d called it genius.

  Ayla had always been his little “faerie” sister. Because he’d seen the faeries come and put her in her bed, swapping out his real sister for her.

  Their parents hadn’t been fond of the nickname. In fact, they’d done everything they could to discourage him from calling her that. Even though Ayla quite liked being called a faerie.

  It wasn’t until she was much older before she realized how right he’d been.

  Even now she could see the faeries from where she sat. Two phookas played with the boys. Ian and Ivan had no idea there was magic around them, but they noticed the wind tickling their hair. They couldn’t see the cat-like faeries teasing them. Still, the boys played with them, nonetheless.

  Maybe that’s why she loved the twins so much. They had a bit of magic in them, even though they were one hundred percent human.

  She sighed and set her purse on the bench next to her. They were lucky to have the entire park to themselves today, a rare moment when there were usually teems of children shrieking for their parents to push them higher. At least it meant she could leave her things where they were.

  Ayla wandered toward the boys, intent on giving them a shove to send them flying up into the air. Except, she noticed a broad figure in white off in the distance. He stood by the hedges and stared at them, his gaze intense and shadowed.

  Every hair on her body stood up on end. Was this man trying to case out her nephews? Was he trying to... what? Kidnap them?

  Over her dead body. These boys were protected by a nanny with a lot more tricks up her s
leeve than any normal human.

  She meandered to the swing set with her eyes on the male figure. “Here,” she said, her voice jubilant but her jaw clenched. “Let me give you a push.”

  Ivan shrieked in happiness, his voice like a balm to her soul. Did he know how much she loved him? Probably. But she didn’t think the boys would ever realize just how far she’d go to protect them. Not a single hair on their head could be lost without her mourning.

  “Boys?” she asked. They both turned their heads toward her, trying to pretend they were listening while still kicking their feet. “I’m going to go over there and talk with that man. Okay? Stay where you are, please. Don’t make me come find you like last time.”

  Ian and Ivan liked to play tricks. The gremlins thought hiding on her was the greatest fun they could ever have, even though it made her want to cry.

  “Okay, auntie!” Ivan said, ignoring her.

  “What man?” Ian asked. He slowed his swinging just enough to crane his neck and look where she pointed. “I don’t see anyone?”

  The air in her lungs froze. Her heart raced in her ears, thumping hard like the beat of a drum. Ayla could feel the blood drain from her face.

  Don’t let the boys see you upset, she thought to herself.

  Children didn’t understand fear. Nor should they.

  Ayla squared her shoulders and plastered a fake grin on her face. “Well, maybe you don’t see him. But I do!”

  Ian giggled and rocked on the swing to get it moving again. He’d never know there actually was a man standing there, staring at the boys as though he wanted to devour them.

  She shivered. Faeries used to eat human children in the old days.

  If this faerie thought he’d get his teeth on her boys, then he had another thing coming. She clenched her hands into fists and stalked to the corner of the park.

  The closer she got, the more details she could see about this strange man. He wasn’t wearing a white suit as she had originally thought. His entire body was wrapped in bandages. A few of the tails had wiggled loose, or perhaps he’d jostled them free. They danced in the wind as she approached, whispering of pain and battle.