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“One day, my love, Lumera will pay for her betrayal. Her people will not shine so bright. Her descendants will fall, and ours will rise. Then will enter your reign…the era of night.” * * * And so this story has been told to the dark fae children, to the generations of night, as they wait for their turn to rule the world.
Sister? My mind reeled. She was the royal princess of Issos, Tiarrialuna, the only daughter of Connall Hartstone, High King of Lumeria. I knew this because it was drilled into me by my father to know our enemies and know them well.
For whatever reason, the god Vix gave me the strength to break my father’s wards and fulfill a prophecy he tried to prevent. Now more than ever, I knew my rightful path.
Vayla was right. My path was resolute and sure—to take my father’s throne.
It had been more difficult to gather allies so close to the castle. We had to be cautious. Many here feared my father’s punishment should they be caught for treason. That fear overrode their hatred for him. I knew that their fear would only help me in the end. When my father was dead, I’d instantly gain their allegiance.
“They will use her to force her father to surrender.” No one said a word for a long moment, realizing my father had done the impossible. This may very well bring about the end of the war and bring Northgall into power.
“Tomorrow morning, we’re going into Näkt Mir and take her first. Then we will use her to gain the allegiance of both Northgall and Lumeria.” All eyes swiveled to me in silence. “It’s time for me to take my throne.”
I stepped forward, unable to keep myself in place, lured by some deeper force. Her eyes widened, her focus dropped to my hand. I’d nearly forgotten. Turning, I held out the head to Soryn. “Take care of this. I’ll handle the princess.”
Lol
the female fae with the demon’s mark will bring about Vix’s reckoning. Vix’s reckoning was the old legend, the promise that one day our kind would rise above and rule over all. In all the written histories of faekind, the light fae—specifically the moon fae of Issos—had dominated our world.
“You will not be my concubine.” He tilted his head, watching me intently. “You will be the mother of my heir.”
“Firstborn? Are you expecting more than one child from me?” One shoulder lifted in a casual shrug, which was not disarming in the least. “You may enjoy my company in your bed and decide to give me more.”
Lol?!
Tiarrialuna Elzabethanine Hartstone,”
Lol what kind of name
I’d gathered prophecies from all three kinds of oracles—soul seers who could attach to one person and foretell their destinies, god seers who heard and spoke the will of the gods, and world seers who prophesied the fate of fae kind. But it was the visions that pertained to the plague that had kept me vigilant in my search. And I’d found them all. All three.
“I’m not sure the binding will take if both don’t speak the words.” The vows in a moon-binding were part of a spell that wove with the priest’s god-given magick to bind us. The bond wouldn’t hold, of course, since we were not a proper match, but the ceremony would be recognized by all of Lumeria, branding
me as that pitiful fae princess, bound to the wraith king. At least, I would not be renounced a whore, and that’s all that mattered to me at the moment.
“You’re right-handed, are you not, my lord?” Goll asked mockingly as he slung his short-sword high. “What are you doing!” yelled Gael. “Stop, no! Don’t! Please!” I sucked in a horrified gasp, unable to look away as Goll sliced through the air and cut through flesh and bone, his blade clinking against stone. Gael screamed as blood sprayed crimson, two of his fingers rolling across the white marble floor.
Omg wtf!!!
Of course, they would stare. I knew this. Not only was she foreign and different, but she was the light-fae Princess of the highest court in all of the realms. And she was undeniably, jarringly lovely.
And upon their laps were light fae women! It couldn’t be!
I was no fool. There were many brothels in Issos these women could’ve come from, but I’d never in all my life thought they’d betray their own people and sell their bodies to our enemies. The enemy who’d just beaten us in the war.
I wanted the people of Lumeria to fall into line easily under their new king. So I wouldn’t give them any reason to defy me, not even the mistreatment or underpayment of Issosian prostitutes.
She remained still for a moment, perhaps wondering if she should pretend to be asleep. “I know you’re awake. You might as well speak to me.” She bolted upright, twisting her torso to face me, her clear violet eyes more vibrant by the light of the volcanic coal. “Why should I speak to you?” “You’re angry,” I noted casually, unfastening my armor. “Of course I am, you imbecile.” Very angry. I forced myself not to smile.
Lol
She stiffened. “Whatever you did with whomever tonight, let it be the last time until…until I’ve conceived and can leave your bed.” Her back was a straight line, her shoulders stiff. She thought I’d fucked my own harlot tonight while I’d left her here alone on her first night away from Issos. And it…bothered her. It bothered me.
Wraith fae magick buzzed in our small circle. It was distinctly different than light fae magick which felt ethereal like a brush of gentle, summer wind. Wraith fae magick bore an undercurrent of aggression and dominance, almost like the warning lash of a whip in the air. I held perfectly still, taking deep breaths as the tension mounted.
“That is what Dalya is here for,” came the baritone voice behind me. I turned suddenly, finding King Goll standing next to the maragord tree we’d just picked from, Dalya at his side. Their dark coloring and deep, moon-gray skin made them look like a perfect royal couple, like they belonged together.
“Are you saying that he will consummate the union in the throne room in front of”—I swallowed hard—“in front of everyone?”
She spoke softly. “A king taking his female before his entire court is more than a symbol. It’s showing everyone that his seed already lives inside of her. It keeps any wraith fae competitors from trying to take what is his. If she is a worthy vessel for his heir, a high born like you, then they all must know he has claimed you for his own.”
At first, nothing. Then…blinding flashes of memory. Not all my own. The hag whispered in the dank dungeon, her cold, skeletal fingers tracing runes in blood on my forehead. “Ora est kel ohira. Ora est kel näkt los. Ora est meheem.” Then her eyes lit with a burning light, something that hadn’t happened in the dungeon but seemed more real now than the memory. Then she spoke in perfect Issosian in a monotone chant, “You are the destiny. You are the dark lady. You are for him.”
“Vix,” I croaked, my voice raspy. “It was Vix.” Then I slipped into darkness.
Huh
Some chanted Goll’s name. Some chanted “Mizrah.” Yet another voice shouted, “Show us, my liege!” And another something similar with a boisterous laugh. I stiffened, realizing we were still on public display, even if they couldn’t see us. Goll was hiding us with his feyfire.
Lol
Yes. I was on the right path. As Mizrah of Northgall, I would set it all right.
realized then that Meck’s expression was concern for Hava, that perhaps he’d hurt her feelings since she had only two horns. “Well, I have none,” I offered with levity, “and I’m fairly certain that I’m pretty wonderful.”
“Keffa. Take the ambassador and hold him in a chamber without windows. I don’t want him flying away.” The ambassador spoke with indignation, “You are going to imprison me?” “Keffa. Now,” I barked, my voice echoing off the black stone walls.
Lol!
She gazed up at me, a defiant fire burning in those ethereal eyes. “It could also mean I am your hearth, your home. And you belong to me.” Her boldness stirred my arousal. I wasn’t prepared to leave this quiet paradise we’d created together. “Oh, Una,” I purred against the thin skin of her wrist. Her pulse quickened against my lips. “Of that, there is no doubt.”
Lol
“Your brother is showing the first signs of Parviana.”
Oh no!
A new dawning bloomed in my chest, pulling me to my feet. My breathing quickened as I stared into the fire, remembering. Drip. Drip. Drip. “Sorka lillet.” “She was there,” I whispered. “She was there in the dungeon with me.”
The old witch from the beginning
“Dalya foresaw someone who means to take my throne. An enemy. And you want me to take my mizrah into enemy lands?” “You are enemies with the other dark fae?” “The beast fae, not so much. They simply don’t like us and we don’t like them. But we have a violent history with the shadow fae, and I’ve suspected for a while that the enemy Dalya warned me about might very well be among them.”
No matter. I would be sitting upon that dais soon. In the king’s chair. I would hold court for my kingdom. And Una would smile at my whispers and blush at my touch.
would’ve ascended naturally when my lineage was known. That throne belonged to me. Yesss, the Voice whispered. She is yours to take. The throne is yours to take.
He seemed defeated, not triumphant. Then he heaved out a heavy sigh. “Fine.” I lifted up onto my elbow. “What?” “Fucking hells,” he muttered then removed his arm from covering his eyes and turned his head to me. “I’ll take you to Dragul Falls.” I launched my body over him and kissed his lips, grinning at his scowling face. “Thank you.” Then I kissed his lips again.
they felt like a second language. Like I’d always known them. How can that be? A memory of whispered words and blood runes being traced on my forehead flashed to mind. Had Vayla given me not only her
gift of magick but all of her knowledge, too? She must have. For when I’d encountered the sprites before my captivity, I had no idea what they were yelling and screaming as I fled into the woods. But now, I understood them as clearly as if we were speaking high fae.
something miraculous happened. My wings fluttered on their own. Not simply fluttered. They beat with purpose, lifting me off the ground until my feet were at eye level with Goll. His feyfire cloak vanished as I stared down in wonder at this miracle. I cried tears of joy, even as the effort was tiring my body quickly. “I can fly,” I whispered, voice shaking.
“I don’t fucking like it.” Goll glowered down at my book spread out on the conference table. “Where the Meer-wolf reigns,” he repeated the last of the prophecy. “So we’re heading into beast fae territory,” said Morgolith.
“The dark fae are not like the light. In Issos, the royals in Valla Lokkyr ruled all of Lumeria. And while I, the wraith king, do speak for and rule the civilized world of Northgall, as well as Lumeria, the beast and shadow fae count themselves separate from us.”
“The world will wail for many seasons and many reasons. Sickness, rebellion, and madness will prevail. Then the dark will steal the light, setting the pale world right. The beast will catch the water maid, foiling plans the rebel laid. And the shadow will swallow the secret queen when true evil is freed. This will come to pass, or all will fall. All will fail. And the gods die with the living.”
beast fae were made taller, wider, thicker. They were the largest of faekind.
“Thank you,” I told him, wondering if I was imagining things when his gaze roved down my body with interest. I was still covered in my cloak, and Ferryn had never looked at me that way before. The way a male courtier at Issos might when I walked into the great hall in a sparkly formal gown. It unnerved me, but then he turned and joined Meck a good distance away, their backs to us.
Lol the traitor
Meck jerked around but not to face me, his horrified and fear-stricken face on his brother. “How could you?” he ground out accusingly. Meck
gripped his sword tight, pointing it toward Ferryn. “I won’t let you.”
“No, Sire. Not cousin…my brother.” Then his eyes lifted to the sky before going vacant, not seeing anything at all as his spirit left his body, another tear sliding down his face, pale gray under the moonlight. I was aware that I was panting, panic tightening its iron fist on me. My brother. My bastard brother.
