Dark, page 27
The final slip of paper contained the overall scores of the realms, ranked from lowest to highest.
Crystal Realm… Day Realm… Iron Realm…
I nearly crumpled the paper when I saw the fucking Night Realm had beaten the Iron Realm by three points.
Forcing myself to unclench my jaw, I looked up from the paper and locked eyes with the new king, whose smug, self-important expression told me he knew exactly what was written on this slip.
Fucking Kazimir.
The bastard even wore the Night Crown, flaunting his new status in my face even more so than in my mate’s. But in the end, I got Izidora, and he lost.
So why was he not angry?
If it had been the other way around, I would have lost my shit, tearing everything and anyone around me to pieces to slake the utter anguish that would have consumed my soul. I was not a good male, but I fucking tried for Izidora. I would do anything for her, as evidenced by the way I tortured each and every male who’d kept her chained in that cave.
Shaking away my unanswered questions and dark thoughts, I cleared my throat and tried my best to sound enthusiastic. I was hosting, unfortunately. “The winner of the competition this year is the Night Realm.”
Cheers erupted from the gathered Night Fae, and Kazimir sauntered toward the stage like he was the king of the Iron Realm too, escorted by raucous claps. Our gazes collided with the force of an avalanche, so many unsaid words flinging between us as he approached. The officiant stopped halfway between us, the large, elegant box he held hiding the ultimate prize.
With a dramatic flourish, he unveiled a goose egg-sized gem, the stone transforming from a deep green to a deep purple as a sliver of light pierced it. Each knuckle on my hand popped in quick, violent succession as Kazimir lifted the stone from its velvet setting and held it high for all to see. The gemstone was a new discovery, thanks to those tunnels carved into the mountains leading to the other realms, and this was our largest find to date. The Dragon in me wanted nothing more than to snatch it from his oily fingers and fly away to add it to my collection, but I resisted with every ounce of sanity left in me, because I needed the other monarchs to believe I was better than him.
With this goal in the forefront of my mind, I clapped my hands, allowing the forceful slaps to soothe that part of me that relied on pain to cope. As the crowd died down, I spoke again. “Please join us for a celebratory feast tonight at Ryza Citadel marking the halfway point in Béke. And remember, in two days, we begin celebrating our Goddess, who has granted Északi long-lasting peace in her generosity.”
Not that that peace would last much longer.
The crowd began to disperse, and I immediately sought out my mate. She stood in a huddle with Liliana and Domi, their heads bent together as they whispered furiously. My heart twinged as I paused for a moment to watch her with her friends, something she’d never had before and something I knew she held onto dearly. Liliana was good to her, and I hoped that she would understand, for Izidora’s sake, that she’d chosen me over Kazimir.
Though, with the furtive glances the three stole at the aforementioned male, I did not doubt that she would.
He had already rejoined the other Night Fae, the winter sun glinting off of his newly minted crown. My jaw clenched because someone in the Iron Realm had to have made it for him, and I would make it a personal mission to find out who. Ambros would never betray me like that, but he would know who did. And once I had them in my clutches, they’d feel the wrath that had been trained into me from childhood, and I’d slake a sliver of my fury by delivering the most delicious kind of pain to them until they begged me to end their life.
Fucking king of the Night Realm.
The heat that boiled inside me must have caught Izidora’s attention, because not a moment later, her gorgeous aquamarine eyes snapped from her friends to me. Her brow pinched ever so slightly as she focused, and the raging boil transformed into a low simmer. I loosed a breath, feeling my shoulders relax as she soothed me. Even from a distance, she lent me strength and support. The corner of my mouth twitched up as I realized she and Zuriel had kept yet another secret from Rares and me about her abilities.
“Come to me, mate. I have not had enough of you yet.”
Those gem-like eyes sparkled as I spoke in her mind. “In a moment. I’m inviting Liliana and Domi to come with me tomorrow.”
“That is a brilliant idea, sprite. You are going to be so beautiful.”
A blush crept across her cheeks under my fervent attention and pretty words, but she returned her focus to the conversation in front of her. I knew by the high-pitched squeal and bouncing from Liliana the moment Izidora told her friends what she had planned for the following day, and my heart melted at the sight of her excitement for my mate.
Being mated was better than I ever thought it could be. I felt safe in a way I never had, loved in a way I never thought was possible, and for the first time in my life, I relaxed into knowing that would never change.
***
All the lights in Vaenor had been extinguished, casting all the Fae in attendance in darkness. The crowd shifted from foot to foot as a strong breeze whipped off the dark ocean, crashing waves audible in the distance. Gradually, as if the Goddess were flicking stars down from the heavens above, lights flickered into existence, highlighting the faces of the lantern holders.
The lantern release was a highly anticipated tradition during Béke, especially when the feast was not hosted in the Night Realm. The king and most of the High Houses celebrated in the Day Realm, and the revelry was not as excessive as it had been two years prior when the Night Realm had played host. The night when all gathered to reflect on the past year and set intentions for the new always ended in an enormous party, and without parties on the preceding nights to lessen the appetite for another, the crowd vibrated with anticipation.
A chocolate-haired female stood amidst a crowd of young Night Fae at the rear of the group, most of the males surrounding her competing for her attention. She rolled her eyes at their antics, dismissing them one by one. The area around them brightened as the firesticks made their way to the back of the group, only spurring the males’ efforts to win her attention. One went so far as to dangle the firestick just out of her reach in an attempt to draw her close enough to be able to kiss her beneath it.
But her brother had trained her well, and in several swift movements, she’d disarmed the suitor and snatched the light for herself. With great care, she brought it above her lantern’s fragile paper encasing, dipping it to find the wick within. She was lonely, despite the constant attention of males around her, and this year, she knew, was the year the Goddess would grant her wish.
No other noble female in the Night Realm loved fighting as much as she did. Her long lashes and longer locks drew the attention and envy of all those around her, along with her striking seafoam green eyes. Most of the young females around her were friendly, but none let her close because they saw her as competition – and for good reason. Yet these young males surrounding her held none of her attention. She wanted someone older, stronger, and with enough will to match her own.
But most importantly, she wanted a friend – one who loved fighting, fashion, and fun just as much as she did.
It was that fervently held hope that lit the wick of her lantern, and it was the promise of the Goddess granting her the friend she’d always wanted that had her ignoring those around her. She prayed, holding the wish within her heart, like it was an essential part of her being, until the High Priestess began her melodic, solemn chant, signaling the gathered Fae to release their floating lights into the sky.
With one last look at the aqua-blue lantern, she opened her palms, allowing the fire to fill it and lift it into the sky, joining the thousands of others as the ocean breeze called them away from Este Castle.
Her eyes never left the lantern as it sailed away, and she remained steadfast in her spot until she could see it no longer. Only then did she join the throng of Fae searching for the nearest location to obtain a drink, many slipping indoors in an attempt to escape the night’s wintry chill.
A breeze lifted the strands of her brown hair as she took one last look at the sky. She could have sworn the brightest star winked at her before returning to its usual lull of light. With a sigh, she followed the crowd into the castle, making the trek to the large ballroom where she’d find her family and a host of males offering her drinks and dances. She partied the night away without a care in the world, for she knew in her bones that in the next year, her wish would come true.
III
29
Béke Day Seven
The air was thick with the scent of amber. I whipped around, trying to gain my bearings amid the massive snow banks that surrounded me. Everything was white, save for tendrils of oily darkness slipping through the snow, sickening with its touch. Veins of black wound their way through the thick piles, melting them until I was knee-deep in water. And still, I could not find the source of the smell. My unbound chestnut hair lifted in a strong breeze that brought wispy shadows in on its wings. I flicked my fingers in an attempt to bring my magic to my palms, but nothing happened with the movement. My breath caught in my throat, panic clawing its way up as I felt utterly powerless.
Shit, shit, shit, I had to get out of here.
Without a moment’s hesitation, I pushed off the rocky ground beneath me, but my legs were encumbered by the soupy water surrounding them. My heart galloped faster and faster as I struggled to run, and my crazed movements only seemed to thicken the water around me. A splash at my back sprayed water in every direction, and I whipped around, a hand clutching my chest as Kazimir appeared from nowhere.
“You are mine,” he growled, lunging for me, and I was helpless as his hand closed over my throat.
A gasp ripped through me as I bolted upright in bed, dragging Ruslan from sleep a moment later. Without hesitation, he cradled me against him, wrapping his arms around me protectively. “Shh, sprite, it was only a dream.”
A choked sob caught in my chest as he continued to soothe me with gentle, circular strokes on my bare skin, the warmth of his large frame enveloping me and chasing away the chill of powerlessness. “It was him,” I managed to choke out, and Ruslan only pulled me tighter.
“I’ll always keep you safe, sprite. I am only a thought away,” he promised.
Dragging in a serrated breath, I wiped my eyes and allowed his heat to relax me. “What time is it?”
He brushed his lips over my bare shoulder. “Time to eat breakfast.”
“Good, because I could use a cinnamon roll to banish my nightmare,” I said, eliciting a low rumble behind me. When I squirmed in his arms, he released me, and as I scooted out of bed, I was grateful that I had not drunk too much at the feast the previous night. “I’m going to shower before we go.”
Ruslan was out of bed a moment later, throwing back the curtains hiding Radence from us, and the pinkish purple of dawn over the Agrenak Mountains was revealed. He tossed a little of his magic into the fire, bringing it to life, and I knew it was because he wanted to ensure I was warm enough. With happiness bubbling in my heart and banishing the lingering bits of fear, I strode into the bathroom and turned on the taps for the shower.
When I returned to our bedroom, Ruslan was reading, one arm holding his book and the other thrown casually behind his head, his muscles flexing in the morning light. I paused for a moment to admire him, still in disbelief over how incredible he was to me. To others, he might be the ruthless king, but to me, he was soft and sweet, and the love I felt down our bond was deeper than any ocean and just as endless.
“Ready to go?” I asked, drawing his attention away.
With a smirk, he set his book aside and rose from the bed, revealing every naked inch of his body. “I will be in a moment.” I gulped at his erection, my thighs dampening from the sight of it. “My eyes are up here, mate.”
Jerking my gaze to his face, I blushed, then sashayed my hips as I walked toward the dresser filled with my clothes, dropping the towel away from my body as I did so. The growl that came unbidden was entirely too satisfying.
“If we didn’t need to focus on winning the Day and Crystal Realms to our side, I’d fuck you against this until you went hoarse from screaming my name.”
“Maybe later,” I purred, pushing my ass out as I bent to pull undergarments from the bottom drawer. When I straightened and glanced over my shoulder, his expression was dark and playful, and he looked like he wanted to devour me.
“I’ll hold you to that.”
We were the first to arrive in the dining hall, and once I’d realized that, I bolted straight toward the steaming pile of sweets, taking all the best pastries for myself. A sigh brushed across the back of my neck, and I whipped my head around to find Ruslan holding two plates filled with meat and cheese. I smiled at him, batting my lashes innocently. “Is one of those for me?”
“Since you will only eat these if I get them for you, yes,” he teased, nudging me along with his leg. We settled at our usual table just as the other monarchs began to arrive, their entourages trickling in behind them.
Queen Viktoria and Queen Immonen sat across from me, and we fell into easy conversation, while Ruslan spoke with their husbands. An idea dawned on me as we chatted, and I knew Ruslan would approve. “Would you two care to join me today as I select my wedding gown? High Ladies Liliana and Domi will be in attendance as well.”
Queen Viktoria’s expression was open and bright, almost motherly, and it warmed me from the inside out. “It would be my honor. I still remember my wedding as if it were yesterday.”
“I’ve never been to one, so I have no idea what to expect,” I admitted, ducking my head for a moment. Then with a sigh, I continued, “I could use all the help I can get. Thankfully, Ruslan has taken care of most of the planning for me.”
His regard fell over me as I uttered his name, and he gave my leg a light squeeze beneath the table. “You are brilliant in your own right.”
“I’d be delighted as well. While the Night and Day Fae may have the best cloth weavers, the Crystal Fae have the best fashion sense,” Queen Immonen boasted, tossing her platinum hair over her shoulder.
The smile spreading across my face was interrupted by a string tugging in my low belly, leaving me with a sense of rising nausea. My attention snapped to the Night Fae who sauntered into the room.
Kazimir strolled in with a swagger that made me want to roll my eyes, and as he piled his plate with food and walked toward us, my stomach threatened to return its contents to my plate. He wore the Night Crown with an air of haughtiness, with his nose lifted even higher in the air than normal and a shit-eating grin he flashed at everyone who glanced in his direction. The chair scraped obnoxiously against the ground as he pulled it back and joined us at the table. All our conversations ceased, and I did not need to be an empath to know that everyone at the table was wildly uncomfortable.
Tapping into that spear of crystal wrapped in flames and moonlight in my chest, I pushed soothing emotions into everyone around me, knowing that the shift in mood would be in everyone’s best interests. With six people surrounding me, it was a bit difficult, but when Queen Viktoria’s shoulders relaxed, I knew I had managed to pull it off. I couldn’t wait to tell Zuriel.
“Thank you, sprite.”
“You’re welcome.”
My magic had affected Kazimir too, and the oiliness that had surrounded his aura was notably absent. Warmth returned to his countenance, and he opened up conversation again. “What has everyone planned for the free day?”
The queens pressed their lips together, and as we locked eyes, I knew they would not speak of my earlier invitation. Thankfully, King Consort Geza offered words first. “I for one would like a day to relax. I am sore from all our competitions.”
King Airre chuckled, then turned to my mate. “I’d like to see some of your new mines, King Ruslan.” He dropped his voice conspiratorially. “My wife is fond of pretty things, you see.”
Queen Immonen’s eyes sparkled like gemstones as she shout-whispered, “Your wife is very fond of pretty things.”
“Consider it done, King Airre. I will take you myself to one of our newest mines, where any rock you find is yours.” Ruslan flashed him a winning grin, though it was all the ruthless king on display and not a friendly comrade. “Anyone else is welcome to join us on the expedition.”
Kazimir contributed little else as our conversations drifted onto other topics like agriculture, trade, and new technologies, but he studied each word intently as if he were memorizing them and packing them away to review later. Ruslan explained how the lifts the others would see on their way to the mines had been created, then mentioned a few other inventions of the Iron Realm in the last few decades.
My mind was only half in the conversation, every hair on the back of my neck standing with Kazimir only two seats away from me. The dream still had me on edge, and I wanted to leave the dining hall as soon as possible. The moment Liliana finished eating, I caught her eye across the room, and she seemed to understand what I needed. Grabbing Domi by the arm, she pulled her toward me until the two of them stood at the end of the table. “We’ll meet you in the courtyard in ten minutes?” she asked with a quick perusal along the table.
“Yes,” I confirmed, and the queens across from me dabbed their mouths with napkins and rose from their seats. I felt two sets of eyes on my back as I did the same, though I only smiled at the ones closest to me as I hurried to leave.
Ruslan held my hand, our fingers touching until the last possible moment. “I love you.”
“I love you,” I replied, then followed the females into the hallway, where we parted ways so I could order a carriage from the stablehands while they dressed for our outing.
Fifteen minutes later, we rolled away from Ryza and toward the dress shop – supposedly the most exclusive in the whole Iron Realm. The five of us were a tight fit in the carriage, but no one seemed to mind as we laughed and gossiped on the way. The shop was near Steel, Liliana mentioned as we rolled past the Félvér club, and then she was ‘forced’ to recount tales of her experience for Queen Viktoria, who was fanning herself by the time we finally rolled to a stop in front of the wide-windowed boutique.
