Curse of the Cruel and Lovely : Allied Kingdoms Academy 3 Read online

  “I need a bath.” I pulled my hair loose from the braid and wandered to the connected bathing room. I had to clean this dried blood off. If I didn’t see it constantly reminding me of all the soldiers I’d killed today, maybe my mind could handle it all.

  A bathtub lined with gold awaited me. I summoned hot water from the faucet and it filled quickly. Dropping my undergarments and sliding off my bralette, I slipped into the liquid and it began to ease my sore body. It was deep enough at its center that sitting upright, the water covered my shoulders.

  Completely nude, and apparently not feeling any of the apprehension I had, Zyacus leaned against the doorframe with his muscular arms crossed. “Mind if I join you?”

  That’s one way to distract me. Like a magnet, my eyes glued to his tan sculpted chest, slid to his abs, and down a little further. Dragon’s breath, he was perfect. “I’d be offended if you didn’t.”

  Stepping into the large tub, he sighed and then sunk completely underwater. The tub was long enough that we could both stretch out. When he popped back up he pushed his dark hair from his face and wiped the dripping water. “Don’t allow Firo to cast doubt in your mind.” His hand caught hold of my foot sending a wave of desire through me. He pulled it onto his lap and his fingers pressed and massaged the arch. It hurt so good. “I heard what he said to you. You will succeed.”

  Laying my head back at the edge of the tub, I stared up at the domed ceiling. “I was so sure of myself until he said that. Thousands of years of battle training when I’ve only been alive for eighteen.”

  His hands massaged my calves and holy phoenix. I needed this relaxation.

  “It won’t matter,” he said.

  I dipped my hands in the water and splashed my face. “How can you know?”

  “Because I know, Princess.” His smile had me inching closer. “With the marriage bond, I feel your power. You need to allow it to fly. I know you’re holding back, Vis.”

  “I’m scared of letting go.”

  Grabbing hold of the back of my knees, he jerked me onto his lap so I straddled him. His hands glided over my bare back. “Don’t be scared, love.” He kissed me, slipping his tongue into my mouth. My body craved him. Craved to experience him again.

  The next morning Zyacus and I were invited for breakfast and sat at a long table with King Venos, Helios, and Gwindola. Aric and Taz, I believe, had meals taken to their rooms. While we waited for the food to be delivered I admired the bronze sun centerpiece on the table. Even the plates, alabaster with little gold suns decorating the outer rim, were beautiful. Trees and plants blossomed in the corners of the room and small bundles of exotic flowers were set in front of each place setting. Mine were a vibrant pink.

  King Venos held a glass of purple liquid in his hand. “Tonight we have a ball. A pre-battle celebration.”

  “We’d like you to join us,” Helios added. “There are many who wish to meet you, Princess. As well as your husband.”

  I supposed now that they weren’t keeping me a secret the Summer Fae would want to see me. The girl who was supposed to kill the Winter tyrant.

  Zyacus and I glanced at each other. He gave a small nod. I figured it couldn’t hurt. “We’d be happy to.” I hadn’t heard anything about the battles starting so why not?

  “I must say I was quite surprised to hear you’d gone through the contest, won and then refused Prince Astaroth’s hand in marriage,” Gwindola said, with an irritating smile. “Whatever happened? Had you gone through with the original plan we wouldn’t need a war.”

  I picked up my drink and took a slow breath in, then after taking a few gulps, I sat my glass down. Everyone stared at me waiting on a response. “You wouldn’t understand, Gwindola. But I decided to do things my way.”

  “I am sure you won’t fail miserably,” she said in a sickly sweet voice.

  Zyacus leaned over and whispered, “This is the woman you had to deal with?”

  I rolled my eyes and nodded. I’d told him all about her on our travels the last few days.

  “Gwindola is it?” Zyacus asked.

  She smiled. “Yes, dear.”

  He offered her one of his charming grins. “I’ve known women like you my entire life. You cover your venom with a smile and a soft tone. But if you speak to my wife like that again, I will have no misgivings about watching you take your last breath.”

  I pressed my lips together so I wouldn’t smile. The look of shock on her face was worth the angry expression the King now had. Servants came through the doors with trays of food in hand ending the stare down between Zyacus and King Venos.

  “Wonderful,” Helios said, clapping his hands together. “Perhaps once we fill our bellies everyone’s mood will improve hmm.”

  Once the plates were set before us, I said, “This smells great.”

  Aggressively cutting the meat on her plate Gwindola mumbled quietly. I silently hoped she’d choke on the next bite she took.

  With his fork in hand, Helios stabbed at a purple vegetable I’d never seen before. “Firo told us about your skirmish in Autumn Court. I want to assure you we didn’t anticipate that.” He took a bite and looked at his father.

  King Venos still a little miffed, nodded. “We can expect them to march with Winter.” His eyes narrowed in worry. “It’s going to take a great deal of fortune for us to win this war.”

  “Are there any more Courts who would possibly join?” I asked. “I thought I remembered mention of a Day Court.”

  “Day Court was wiped out six centuries ago when they dared to fight against King Valefrost and Queen Starcrest. They opposed the union of Winter and Night, claiming they would be too powerful and wicked.” King Venos gently shook his head. “We all knew it too.”

  “What I don’t understand is why the Night Court, if they are joined by their Queen with Winter, would fight with Prince Astaroth?” Zyacus asked.

  “In the beginning he used their armies to gain power, promising them wealth but over time, as with the rest of us, word is Valefrost taxed them heavily,” King Venos began. “Stole their women for his Winter Fae. Marched in and took crops and supplies when he felt like it. As you may have guessed, Winter struggles to grow their own food and instead of fairly trading like was once customary, they wanted more.”

  Helios added, “And Queen Starcrest has allowed this to happen in her own court either out of loyalty to him or fear.”

  I’d heard this from Bastian and Gwindola before during our lessons but they were never sure if Night would fight against Winter. Bastian said it would take Astaroth to lead them and at the time he wouldn’t fight his father. I guess all it took was a little encouragement from me. I cleared my throat. “Have any of you heard from Bastian yet?”

  Helios’s expression fell grim. “We have received word he has remained loyal to Valefrost and will lead the armies of Winter.”

  No. That can’t be. Bastian and Aenea were the only Fae in this entire realm who had ever treated me with decency and never held anything over me. I had to believe that some of the Fae were good and didn’t only think of their own interests. I had seen that in them, hadn’t I? But maybe I was wrong. I knew from the beginning they were using me like everyone else, because I was the one person who could kill Valefrost and they wanted him gone. But a small part of me hoped they cared about me. When they had given me the name Snofury, even if it wasn’t real, I felt like I belonged.

  31

  Visteal

  While a set of attendants did my hair, powdered my face, darkened my eyes with makeup, and dressed me in a flowing lavender gown, I stared at the mirror in silence, letting my vision unfocus. When I left Bastian and Aenea they had a map between them on the desk with figures that represented battalions. Did either of them confirm they’d meet me in Summer Court? Bastian told me to go to Summer and that Astaroth would meet me. I told them I would see them here, expecting they would come.

  After placing a golden crown with pink jewels on my head, the women left. Now they wanted to show
that I was royalty, when Gwindola tried to tell me my people, my kingdom, and I were nothing.

  Zyacus closed a book and rose from the chair he’d been waiting in. “You look beautiful as always,” he said, holding out his palm to me. “Although I much prefer black and red on you. ”

  I smiled at the mention of the colors of my kingdom. Hand in hand we walked out of our room to meet Taz and Aric in the hall. Pixie flew out of the crack in the door. “I come?”

  “You stay with Sir Gideon,” Zyacus answered.

  Folding her arms and pushing out her bottom lip, she said, “But want to.”

  “Stay,” he commanded.

  She swore, flew back inside and the door slammed.

  Chuckling, Taz said, “She could have been my date.”

  “That’s creepy,” Aric said, adjusting the collar of his black shirt. Then he fixed a stray piece of hair hanging in his eye.

  Shooting him a glare, Taz said, “Not like a real date. Who do you think I am? Some sick bastard?”

  Aric flicked Taz on the shoulder. “Relax, it was a joke. Let’s go have some fun tonight. It could be our last.”

  I wanted to shoot back with we’re all going to make it out alive, but no one said anything. We all knew any one of us could die in this war. It made me sick to think that I was the reason they were dragged into this. They could be back at the academy, in class not fighting in a war none of us should even be a part of. They weren’t even truly loyal to a side. They were only here for me.

  A single guard escorted us to the ballroom. A sweet woman’s voice spilled across the room. Couples danced in the center spinning in circles. A sweet scent of citrus filled my nose and for some reason my mood instantly lifted. Vines climbed every inch of the walls with sprays of white flowers. Arched windows let in the last of the setting sunlight. A massive golden sun emblem dominated the center of the white marble floor. The Summer Fae had good taste. I’d give them that.

  As soon as we entered the room King Venos stood. He made his way through the throng of his dancing guests. He wore his usual white robe and crown. His warm brown skin wrinkled at his eyes when he smiled. “You are lovely, Princess. I would like a dance.”

  Zyacus held his calm mask well. “I’ll grab a drink with the boys.”

  “A dance it is then,” I said and released Zyacus’s hand to take hold of King Venos.

  As he pulled me forward, my mind drifted to another scene, another place; a battlefield... Oh my unicorn, I focused on walking but in my head I watched an arrow fly straight through King Venos’s neck. He fell from his horse, blood bubbling from his mouth. But seeing his death didn’t affect me like it once would have. I didn’t want to run away upset and confused. Since I’d been in Faerie I’d seen a fair amount die, many from my own hand. I’d almost grown numb to it. If it weren’t Zyacus or Taz or Aric, I could live with it.

  I jumped when he said, “I have decided I will join my army on the battlefield. My son Helios thinks I should stay here but it is only proper that a king should lead his own soldiers.”

  Not being able to meet his eyes I focused on the other dancers. “Perhaps your son is not wrong.”

  “Nonsense. It is my duty.”

  At least he had a sense of duty. I’d pegged him for a coward. I wasn’t sure why but I didn’t press the issue. Something in me told me to leave it be. The Summer King would fall in battle and hopefully so would the Winter King.

  Gwindola interrupted us to ask the King to dance. I think she thought I’d be displeased but I almost thanked her. Hurrying away, I spotted the boys standing near a drink table. They were the only three in black and they looked dashing. All the other men wore white and the women wore a variety of light colors.

  Once I joined them it was like a dam broke. Fae lined up to speak to us. They asked questions about our realm and about our abilities, the academy, what our plans for the battle were. Zyacus answered most of the questions. He had been born with a silver tongue and it showed. The Fae who had acted so cruelly toward us when we arrived now seemed magnetized. After Zyacus told the gathered crowd that Aric was a vampire, one girl even offered her wrist to him.

  “Take a bite,” she said, lifting her eyebrows. “I’ve always wondered what it would be like.”

  Rubbing his smooth chin and obviously uncomfortable, he took a step back. “No thank you, I’m full.”

  “I think you’d enjoy it anyway,” she cooed. “We’re fascinated with your kind here. How is it that you can walk in the daylight?” She inched her wrist closer to him.

  I narrowed my eyes at her, clenching my hands at my sides. Did she want to make a spectacle of him? Try to paint him as some sort of monster? “He said no.”

  She turned to me with a red-lipped smile. “Oh, you must be the chosen one. How will you kill the Winter King?”

  “None of your business. Now move along,” I said with a wretched smile.

  She bowed her head and disappeared. After that I was ready to get out of there. This reminded me of the parties at home but much worse.

  Zyacus took my hand. “I’d like to dance with my wife. Perhaps we can speak with you all more later.”

  “Thank you for getting me out of there.” As we walked toward the dance floor and it seemed everyone watched us, I had major flashbacks of us at my birthday party a year ago. When his hand slid onto my waist and he pulled me closer, he smiled just as he did then. “You know what I’m going to say don’t you?” he said.

  I smiled as we stepped. “Tell me.”

  “That your glorious curves are even better with no clothes on at all.”

  I had nearly slapped him the last time he mentioned imagining my curves. “You’re naughty,” I said and pushed up on my toes to kiss him. We moved slowly with the music while I got lost in his stunning blue eyes. I took comfort knowing he wouldn’t die during the battle. If he were going to I’d have seen it.

  When the song ended, I dragged Zyacus out of the ballroom and outside onto a balcony. If I had to dodge one more question about how I was going to kill the Winter King I would gag. A set of stairs led down to a tropical garden below. “Come on, let’s go.” I tugged his hand and we raced down the steps.

  We found a stone bench to sit on. Zyacus pulled a bottle of what I guessed was wine and pulled the top. “I swiped this from inside.” He brought the bottle to his lips and tipped his head back. Then handed it to me. “It’s really good.”

  I took a drink and a sweet yet slightly bitter flavor filled my mouth. “It is.”

  He grabbed it back and took another slug. “Where will we live when we get home?” Passing the bottle back to me he said, “Delhoon or Hesstia?”

  I tilted my head back and forth contemplating and took a long drink. Truth be told I hadn’t thought that far ahead. Surviving this mess had been it. “Maybe we should build our own castle somewhere in between. Neutral.”

  “Not in the Gap.” He scrunched his nose. “It’s ugly and there are minimal resources.”

  I shrugged. It could be dealt with. If we chose one over the other our people would see it as favoritism of that kingdom. I didn’t want to be seen as a traitor to my people. “With magic it can be made beautiful. The academy grounds are.”

  “I think we should live in Hesstia. My people will need me sooner than yours will need you.” He licked wine from his lips. “Not in Kezington but closer to Delhoon.”

  Tapping my foot on the ground, I nibbled on my lip. I took another drink. If I were going to have this conversation I’d need it. “I don’t want to live in Hesstia.”

  His mouth twitched. “Why?”

  “I prefer Delhoon. And I don’t like your father.” Whoops, did I say that out loud? It shouldn’t offend him, really. He didn’t like his father that much either.

  “I know you don’t like him but he will die much sooner than your parents. I will need to be in Hesstia. You may never even rule in Delhoon. You’re not that much younger than your mother. It’s likely our daughter will rule one day.”
>
  I stood and walked a few steps away. Ugh, why did he have to bring this up now? And I would never wish my mother to die but he was acting like my role was less important than his. “I don’t care. I don’t want to live in Hesstia. We should build a home in the Gap of Freeole.”

  “Visteal,” he said firmly.

  I whipped around to face him. “Don’t Visteal me. You heard what I said. I will not be a traitor to my kingdom.”

  “Is that what you think?” he snapped. “So then marrying me could be seen as traitorous.” His wild eyes glinted silver in the moonlight. “Did you only marry me to get out of being stuck with Nightfrost? If you were so worried about this you should have married Aric. He’s half Delhoon, well according to you, fully Delhoon and not even my cousin at all. And a faerie. The perfect choice.”

  That stung. Good pixie, he could still piss me off more than anyone else. He knew where to jab. He knew I loved and wanted to marry him. I hated that I even had to defend our relationship. “No. Why would you say that? You were the only choice.”

  “Because you just said living in my kingdom would make you a traitor. A traitor.” The hurt was written all over his face. I wanted to go to him but then he went on, “I thought we were allies? I thought we were long past all the Hesstia-Delhoon horseshit.”

  My lower lip trembled and my eyes stung. I had known it would be difficult for us to be together which was one of the reasons I had a hard time giving into the way I felt in the first place. Why it took me so long to tell him I loved him. “I’m sorry. Traitor was the wrong word,” I said quietly. “It’s not what I meant. I meant I don’t want to show favoritism to your kingdom over mine. Can’t you understand where I’m coming from?”

  He prowled toward me with determination. “The difference, Visteal is I don’t care what anyone else thinks.” I slowly backed up as he moved forward until I hit the stone wall of the palace. His face was a breath away from mine when he said, “I only care about you and me—No. I care about you. If you want to live in the Shit of Freeole then that is what we shall do.”