Curse of the Fae Moon: Allied Kingdoms Academy Book 2 Read online

  Curse of the Fae Moon

  Allied Kingdoms Academy 2

  J.M. Kearl

  J.M. Kearl

  Copyright © 2020 J.M. Kearl

  All rights reserved

  The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

  No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.

  Cover design by: J.M. Kearl

  Library of Congress Control Number:

  Printed in the United States of America

  For Jaylee and Titus. May you both follow your dreams

  Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Books By This Author

  About The Author

  Chapter 1

  With a shaking hand, I shielded the sun’s blinding glare. Getting knocked down for what felt like the hundredth time made it difficult to want to get back up. But I wasn’t the type to stay down. Struggling to my knees, I wrapped my fingers around the hilt of my sword, my nails scraping the dirt.

  “On your feet!” shouted my father.

  Heaving a breath, I stood. With a lift of my chin, I met his steely gaze.

  “If you wish to go back to the Allied Academy you will prove to me that you deserve to be there,” he reminded me yet again, and took a step to the left, never taking his eyes from me. “If you are to leave my protection, you must give me a reason to allow it.”

  After the vampire attack and my brush with death, Father treated me differently. When I told him Senica sunk his fangs into my neck, and that I watched Aric turn into one of the blood drinkers… the horror in his eyes… I’d never seen that look before.

  I gritted my teeth and swung my sword at him. He blocked it easily, shoving me to the side. My arms and legs had grown weak. At this point, I felt I could barely stand but I had to keep standing. I had to. We clashed again and again. He spun, his elbow collided with my face and I hit the ground. The tang of blood filled my mouth.

  “I’ve been too easy on you for too long,” he said. His long shadow cast over me. Hand wrapping around my bicep, he pulled me to my feet. “My leniency as your father could have cost you your life.”

  He’d said something akin to this so many times in the last three months it only made me angry now. He shouldn’t blame himself for my lack.

  I stomped on his foot and with all my strength, I slammed the hilt of my sword into his chin. He stumbled back and gave me a bloody toothed grin. “Good.”

  With renewed vigor, I swung my weapon. We hit swords over and over. When the flat of his blade smacked into my thigh, I winced. He went to hit me again, the same spot, and I vanished. The world went black as I squeezed through space and reappeared behind him. Oh yes, I could do appearus magic. He made sure of that.

  Father whipped around, ducked under my sword and kicked my feet from under me. I went down, pulled my boot dagger, rolled and sliced through his calf.

  “Ouch,” he mumbled and hobbled backward.

  I hopped to my feet, staring at the blood soaking his pants. “Sorry, Father.” But inside my heart thrummed with triumph. I had never gotten him before. No one ever did.

  Holding up a palm, he half smiled. “I’m proud. It’s been a long time since someone cut me.”

  My chest swelled with pride. Most girls probably wouldn’t be happy to slice their loving father with a dagger but here I was grinning like a fool. “Because your sparring partners are afraid to hurt the king?” I teased.

  With a deep chuckle, he bent down to one knee and examined the slice. “I very much doubt those vampires were afraid to hurt me. Didn’t get a single scratch.”

  I laughed. “True.”

  A nearby guard who’d stood watch, entered the sparring arena. She opened the flap on her hip pouch and pulled out a bottle of clear liquid. “Sire, a healing potion.”

  “Thank you.” He popped the cork and took a swig. Within moments the wound began to close.

  If this match hadn’t done it, I had one more week to prove to my father that I could go back to the Allied Academy. We’d been training one on one every day. Each week he pushed me harder. Today he fought me like he fights his soldiers. Like an equal. Which is why I got knocked on my behind so many times. He didn’t appear to hold back and I appreciated it even though my swollen lip throbbed.

  He said fighting other students during classes or tournaments wasn’t enough. After watching me for a week when I’d first come back, he seemed disappointed and that hit me in the gut. “The other students are too easy on you. All of them,” he’d said.

  From the time I was old enough to hold a wooden sword, he’d trained with me. But our training sessions became few and far between once I entered the academy. He had my twin brothers to teach as he’d done with me when I was young and plenty of other things to do as King. He’d relied on my training in classes to be enough. Now he didn’t think it was.

  Perhaps the students from other kingdoms didn’t ease up when fighting me but I’d been back in Delhoon for months now. I hadn’t realized it before but after he said that, I began to wonder if they often let me win and I’d mistaken many victories as my prowess. The thought made me angry.

  Father stood and patted me on the back. “We’ve been at this for long enough today.”

  “Am I improving?” I asked, sheathing my weapons.

  “Immensely. You’re doing great.” He nodded toward the castle and walked side by side. “Any word from Aric?”

  I shook my head. No one had heard anything from Collweya about Aric since the attack. Mother didn’t dare inquire about him, afraid it would set off Kyria and start a conflict with the north. It was insane to me that alliances between kingdoms were so fragile. That an ill-chosen phrase could start a war. That romances between royals could break peace or enforce it.

  “How is Zyacus?” Father asked, sparing me a glance. “I still think I need to speak with King Enden about the future with you two. He’ll want a betrothal for Zyacus soon, whether it’s you or someone else.”

  Ugh, not this again. We’d gotten into an argument when I first got home about my relationship with the prince. “Zyacus is… probably fine.”

  He slowed and turned to me. “Probably fine?”

  “It’s been two weeks since I’ve heard from him.” I hoped Father didn’t hear the hurt in my voice. It had been a little over three months since I’d seen Zyacus at the academy. We’d exchanged letters the entire time apart until he suddenly stopped replying. After I’d sent him three and didn’t get one in return, I quit sending. Yet I still waited
, hopeful, like some love-sick imbecile. Pathetic.

  “We spoke with King Enden yesterday,” Father said. “The academy is set to reopen with his kingdom. Nothing appeared to be amiss.”

  Which was why Zyacus had consumed nearly every thought because of his silence, making it ridiculously hard to concentrate on anything. I worried that he would forget about what we shared. Was it another girl? Had Jennika weaseled her way back to him? Or had his father played a part in it? I couldn’t stop speculating on why he wouldn’t contact me. What if the distance had changed his mind and he realized being with me was more trouble than it was worth.

  Legacy said I was being ridiculous to worry he no longer wanted to be with me. I wasn’t so sure. After all, we’d hated each other for years.

  Father looked down at the grass for a quiet moment then back up to me. “You’ll see him in a week.”

  A week. I didn’t know if I could wait another week. It was driving me mad. I grew more frustrated by the day. But what bothered me most? His birthday was the following day and I hadn’t received an invitation to a party. He always had a party.

  Father continued, “I’m not trying to sound insensitive, my dear but I’m in no rush for you to marry. Perhaps it’s for the best.”

  “Father,” I groaned. “I’m not rushing off to marry. We haven’t even spoken about it.”

  He ran a hand through his long dark hair. “And I know I already said this but unless we can find a way to extend his life, it would be a hard relationship to maintain in years to come.”

  I already knew this. I’d thought about it so many times, and was about to say as much but Father held up a hand. “But a union and child between the kingdoms would unite us in a way no written or verbal treaty ever could.”

  “Then why is King Enden against it? He wishes for Zyacus to marry an Entari’s daughter.”

  My grandmother strolled up beside us, joining in the conversation as if she’d been there all along. “If the situation was reversed,” Madison began, “if he’d assassinated your brother and king, Boaden, and then someone like Daelyn tried to marry into the royal house of Delhoon as a spy and with the intent to bring the kingdom down, would you allow the relationship?” Neither of us replied. “It’s a personal grudge, not a political one. Peace between our kingdoms was a political move that greatly benefited him.”

  “His son marrying Visteal would also greatly benefit him,” Father argued.

  “Would it?” Madison asked. “Visteal is magic-born, Zyacus is not. If they married, and when he dies before her, would Visteal not rule Hesstia? Even if the succession legally went to their son, he would be a half Delhoon boy with the influence of his still young, powerful mother. At that point Hesstia could become Delhoon because Visteal will one day rule here. This is certainly what Enden fears. The end of his kingdom taken by Delhoon. War isn’t the only way to lose it. Of course, I see nothing wrong with this.” A devious smile followed.

  She’d certainly given the future a lot more thought than I had. And holy phoenix she was right. “Have you seen this in a vision?” I asked.

  Madison shook her head. “No. I don’t see that far into the future.”

  My father shook his head. “A union between the kingdoms wouldn’t mean the end of Hesstia. We would make sure they remained apart from us in traditions and country. I have no desire to change that.”

  “Neither do I,” I agreed.

  Madison shrugged. “I’m only speculating the Hesstian King’s thoughts on the matter. Perhaps you should ask him, Boaden.”

  “No,” I blurted out. “I don’t want there to be any betrothal negotiations at this time.” Especially not when Zyacus wouldn’t even speak to me.

  “There is no rush,” Father said to the both of us. He turned his eyes to me. “You may go. I have some matters to attend to.”

  I gave him a small bow. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  I started for the palace with wild but completely rational, er, at least to me, thoughts surfacing. I glanced at the sun now hanging low in the sky, dinner would be soon but I had other plans. As classes had ended for the academy year, my days were open aside from training with my father in the evening.

  I could go to Hesstia. If a birthday party had been planned without an invitation to his girlfriend, I’d wreck that party. I’d also spent a lot of time on his gift. For his birthday, I’d made him a wolf ring to match his pendant. I wanted to give it to him and I needed to find out what was going on.

  If I could sneak to the portal at the Delhoon capitol library in Delmar it would take me straight to Hesstia. Then somehow I’d have to make it to the Hesstian castle unnoticed and find Zyacus to confront him and then make it back in time to train with Father. Sure, I could wait a week to see him at the academy but this sounded like a much more exciting idea.

  My first task would be to find a way to lose Bindy. She’d never agree to go. And considering my parents hadn’t allowed me to visit Zyacus in Hesstia this entire time, I couldn’t let them find out.

  A smile slowly grew as I picked up my pace. I’d need the help of my friends to cover my absence.

  Chapter 2

  I needed to get Bindy off my tail. On the positive side she didn’t follow me as closely here in the Delhoon palace but she would know if I left for the city. And I couldn’t very well tell her the plan. Her hierarchy of loyalty started with my parents. Although she didn’t rat me out on things, she wouldn’t go with me against my parents’ wishes. No, that defiance was something only my friends would do.

  I’d have to go in disguise. I couldn’t risk being recognized. The last thing I needed was a mob of people wanting my blessing or some other nonsense.

  I made it to the dining hall and due to the short hiatus from the academy, about half as many students filled the room. In one week we’d return to classes and I’d be a sixth-year student. As would Taz and Legacy and although we seemed to have matured a little since the previous year, the three of us could usually concoct a devious plan. And they’d been begging me to do something nefarious for a while. I think Legacy liked the thrill of it, and Taz, well, he was loyal. He wouldn’t let us get into trouble without him. Hopefully, they’d love my idea. It only took me a moment to spot them at one of the dining tables.

  Taz perked up when he saw me and stood. “Vis,” he beamed. “It’s good to see you finally joining us commoners in the dining room.” He waved for me to sit beside him.

  I slid onto the bench beside him and gave him a good shove. “My parents have requested I eat with them the last few days, commoner. Mind your business.”

  He laughed. “Course, your highness. Whatever you say, oh great one.”

  I rolled my eyes. “I need you two to help with something.”

  Legacy narrowed her eyes but grew a smirk. “Could we get into trouble?”

  “Probably more than any other stunt we’ve pulled.”

  Legacy grinned. “Oh, do tell.”

  Making sure no one was near enough to hear, I waved them closer and leaned in. “I’m going to Hesstia and I need you both to help me so I can get there and back here without anyone noticing I’m gone.”

  Legacy chuckled. “Even more interesting than I anticipated. Holy phoenix, your parents would drop dead if they knew.”

  “Obviously. Which is why I need your help.”

  Less enthused, Taz pursed his lips. “How can we help you with that, and why in the world would you be sneaking off to Hesstia?”

  “I thought you were smart, Taz,” Legacy drawled. “Isn’t it obvious why she’d be sneaking to Hesstia? A certain prince, perhaps?”

  “Clearly,” Taz said and then bared his teeth at her. “But last I heard he didn’t even have the decency to write you a letter. It’s not like it’s hard. Jot down a few words, whisper the spell and set the thing ablaze.”

  I was fairly sure there had to be a good reason why he hadn’t responded. Or if he didn’t have a good reason and he was simply being a coward, I certainly couldn’t let
him ignore me as if we hadn’t kissed. Like we hadn’t confessed our feelings. Like we hadn’t fought beside one another. Like he hadn’t made it clear he wanted me in front of everyone. He, at the very least, owed me an explanation if he wanted to end the relationship. I am the damned Princess of Delhoon after all. I explained to Taz as much and he agreed I should go. He didn’t want me to be rebuffed by Zyacus almost more than I didn’t. Like I said, loyal.

  “Why don’t you just go to your room and sneak off the balcony?” Taz suggested. “Or just use the appearus spell and get out of here.”

  The actual act of getting to the stables wasn’t the hard part. The challenge lay with making sure no one knew.

  “But if Bindy or her parents check on her, they’ll know she’s not in there,” Legacy said. “Hence why she needs us.”

  “Fine, you sneak off the balcony and Legacy pretends to be you in your room if anyone asks,” Taz said, seeming very pleased with himself.

  “As if scaling down nearly a hundred feet would be so easy,” Legacy said.

  I didn’t even know what he meant by sneaking off my balcony. Tie a bunch of sheets together? Get a rope? Learn how to fly? Possibly appearus spell to the ground but it was pretty far when I’d only recently learned that magic.

  “Whatever, you know what I mean. Use magic to get to the ground floor. Legacy, you go into her room, if they knock, you respond using that voice mimicking spell we learned last month.”

  “Not bad.” I slowly nodded. That would only work if they didn’t want to actually see me. Which was unlikely. “But I have a better idea.”

  “And that would be?” Taz asked.

  I grinned. “We swipe a transfiguration potion. Legacy, you drink it and turn into me if they insist on you leaving my room. And I’ll turn into you to get out of here.”

  Legacy picked through the bowl of berries on the table. “I better not get into trouble if we get caught. You’re taking the fall.”