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

  “You will do as you are told or I will report to Helios. There are many things we can do without a war.” She grabbed a book off the shelf, flipped it open and stuffed it into my hands. Her smile grew cruel. “Perhaps your mother and father will become ill and no magic of yours will be able to cure it.”

  I didn’t even bother looking at the book, it slipped from my fingers, and I rushed at Gwindola, magic ready to strike in whatever way it came out. I didn’t know at this point; it could be a fireball or an invisible rope to choke the life out of her. I wasn’t entirely in control.

  She backed into a corner but her perfect smirk didn’t falter.

  “Don’t threaten my parents,” I said inches from her face.

  She held up her hands but didn’t look afraid. “It will only take one word to Helios and your parents will die. Or maybe your twin brothers first.”

  How does she even know I have twin brothers?!

  “And if you touch me, the consequences will be dire, I assure you. Aside from the King and Prince, I am the most important person here.”

  I wanted to choke the life out of her. It would be easy to turn her into a frozen statue. I could burn this whole castle to the ground in the flames of my fury but that wouldn’t save my family.

  I slowly backed off. Taking in deep breaths. Calm down. Calm down. Endure this wench’s stupid mouth for a short time and then go home.

  “That’s what I thought.” She stood straighter. “Now, let’s do something about that posture.”

  4

  Visteal

  When Gwindola’s finger jabbed between my shoulder blades I was forced to stand straighter. I rolled my shoulders back and felt like I was only sticking my boobs out.

  “Good.” She circled me. “Walk for me.”

  I strode to the door and turned on my heel. I’d been taught how to stand and walk properly as a child, but apparently the Fae had much higher standards. Or Gwindola did.

  “Now back this way.”

  I loosed an annoyed breath, and as lightly as I knew how, made my way back to her.

  Her mouth twisted. “Mmmm, not going to work. You walk like a troll.”

  I rolled my eyes, more insults. Wonderful.

  “I shall demonstrate.” When her feet moved across the floor, they barely made a sound. It almost looked like she was on the verge of floating. The Fae were naturally more graceful and I didn’t know how I was going to pull this off. It was like their bones were made of something much lighter than ours.

  I took a step and suddenly what felt like hot pokers stung the heels of my feet. I hissed and bent down to rip my boots off.

  “Ah, ah, ah,” Gwindola tisked. “There is nothing wrong with your shoes. Although your dreadful attire will need attending too.”

  I glared at her. Had she burned my feet to get me to walk the way she desired? I guess I’d learn faster that way.

  Her eyes gave me a once-over. “Perhaps we should take care of that first. Come.”

  It’s just a short while, I chanted over and over as we made our way out of the room. Just a short time and I could find the boys.

  Gwindola walked so fast I hardly had a chance to check out my surroundings. Every time I slowed to look at a statue or painting, I nearly lost sight of her. But there was certainly a theme. Everything was gold or white. Gold statues on white stands. Golden suns embossed into the glossy white floor. A mixture of green and flaxen plants in white vases, I assumed they’d been enchanted but perhaps the leaves grew that way in Summer Court. They definitely had a thing for suns. The same design was everywhere. On doors, walls, arches, pillars.

  We passed a few Fae sitting in a lounge area. They didn’t even look up as we walked by. A couple servants came out of a side door. I couldn’t be sure but they looked fully human, and I didn’t know if they’d recently been taken or if humans had children with others. I’d been led to believe that only human women chosen as Fae brides were brought here.

  The boy, about my age, had bronze hair and reminded me of Taz, and the girl, maybe a little older with a mass of black curls, both had an arm full of laundry. Their eyes dropped when Gwindola glided past, but they stared me down when I hurried by the pair.

  I glanced back over my shoulder. I wanted to ask them where they’d come from, but I didn’t have time. Gwindola snapped her fingers and darted into a doorway. I hurried after her and halted when three women in modest dresses, waited with measuring tape and sticks. Unlike the others I’d seen, they didn’t look fully human. They had some of the Fae features. Two had pointed ears. One didn’t. Although all three were incredibly beautiful, they still lacked the perfect symmetry, and the larger eyes of the Fae. Another thing I noticed was all of them had more curves than the thin, Gwindola. I didn’t know if being thin with narrow hips and small breasts was a Fae thing or just the few I’d seen.

  “We have our work cut out for us with this one, lovelies.” Gwindola ran her snake eyes over me then she fell into a cushy, pearl-colored chair. “This is the one from the prophecy. That knowledge must never leave this room. We can’t have the Winter King’s spies learn of her. Make her as Fae as possible.”

  The three of them moved in, wrapping my waist, lifting my arms, measuring, and tugging and yanking. “Please remove your clothes so we can get a perfect fit,” one said.

  I had fitters back home so I was used to this. I stripped to my bralette and undergarment. All three stepped back and almost hid behind Gwindola.

  “Her tattoos,” the girl with the black skin and amber hair said. “Both Winter and Night marks her.”

  “That means…” the tanned blonde turned to Gwindola.

  “Yes, Astaroth Nightfrost has chosen her.” Gwindola waved her hand as if this news was nothing important. “This helps us. Continue.”

  They all looked wary when they returned to their work. I wondered why they were so afraid of him. I knew he was scary powerful, but he couldn’t be the only one with power like that, could he? My mother could compare to him. In theory my mother could destroy mountains, level cities with her magical power, but she wasn’t feared. People didn’t cower at the whisper of my mother’s name, or my father’s because he was hers. I was only marked as Astaroth’s betrothed and they feared me too. What did the Winter Prick do to deserve such infamy?

  “Helios mentioned a competition,” I said as if it were simply an off-hand comment. “Do you know what he was referring to?”

  Gwindola tore her gaze away from the window to briefly look at me then she smiled and waved it off. “Oh, we have lots of competitions here. It could be anything.”

  Another dodge. What were they hiding from me? What competition would I need to be in?

  Within the hour, I had on an airy lavender gown that hit my ankles and long sleeves to cover the tattoos. I thought it looked a little odd since no one else had sleeves but if everyone had the reaction the seamstresses did then I’d rather keep the Winter Prince’s marks covered.

  Gwindola rose from her seat. “This will be your room. Stay here if you know what’s good for you. I’ll fetch you when I’m ready to return to your lessons. I must meet with the King.”

  The three women followed her out of the door, leaving me alone. Well, almost alone, Gideon snuck in and was perched on the bed. “Good phoenix, that woman is insufferable. I considered mauling her a few times but I did as you asked and stayed hidden.”

  “I almost turned her into an ice statue. Stupid wench.” I threw myself on the bed and stared up at the gold-painted ceiling. “I hope these lessons last a week at most. I don’t think I can handle her much longer without stabbing her in that black heart.”

  “It will depend on how quickly you pick up their customs,” Gideon said, curling up on one of two pillows. “If you are to be a spy and assassin, you have to become one of them.”

  That competition comment and the way they both brushed it off bothered me. It had to be something. I chewed on my lip while I paced the room, hoping Zyacus would reply soon. I’d sent th
at note hours ago. But he’d have to be near a fire to receive it and if he didn’t have ink or a quill he couldn’t write back even if he’d gotten it already.

  Ugh! I went to the door and cracked it. No Fae in sight. “Gideon, I need to find out about this competition. I have a feeling it involves me but I cannot fathom what it could be, and if they’re hiding it, it’s no doubt dangerous.”

  He lifted his head from resting on his paws. “The woman could be back at any moment. We should wait until dark.”

  I cursed and closed the door. Gwindola had rounded the corner. The door burst open. So much for knocking.

  Gwindola strode in with a fake smile. “The King wishes to see you now.”

  “The last time he saw me, he threw me in the dungeons for being a, quote, ‘Winter imposter.’”

  Gwindola tucked her hair behind her pointed ears. “That was before he knew everything. Helios made the mistake of not telling him about Astaroth.” She turned and made her way to the door. “Come, come we mustn’t keep him waiting. This will be a nice pretest on how well you can keep your mouth closed and obey orders.” She halted and I nearly ran into her. Whipping around she stood about my chin height. “Do not make the King angry.”

  Did she think I was a fool as well as ugly? I was in a foreign land in a hostile environment. I’d been training for this sort of situation most of my life. Angering the King was the last thing I’d do. Gwindola though… “I won’t.”

  How Gwindola walked so much faster than me was astounding when she had to have shorter legs. I half jogged to keep up with her. At least the light shoes made it easier to be quiet than my boots.

  “Good gracious, your walk is so loud.” She gave me a hawkish glare. “Step lighter.”

  And here I was thinking I was doing well. I lifted my heels and tried to stay on the balls of my feet. It helped quiet my steps and pushed me forward easier but my calf muscles started burning.

  We came into what I assumed was a throne room, given the massive golden throne with two male Fae statues off to the sides that had to stand fifteen feet high. They were mirrored twins, each wearing a robe, a staff in one hand and the sun symbol etched into the outstretched palm of the other.

  The King did not rise from his seat as we approached. My stomach seemed to wiggle nervously when he only watched me with those color changing, wary eyes. However, this time Helios stood off to the side, hopefully to save me from any more misunderstandings. He was the one who’d dragged me to the Faerie realm after all.

  Gwindola dropped her head into a brief bow then she lifted her chin and gestured to me. “Your highness, I have verified that this human is indeed the one from the prophecy.”

  “Good.” He stood and glided toward me in that typical Fae walk. “Apologies for my reaction earlier. You are an incredibly special person. I am pleased you are here. My son has caught me up on everything. We hope to have you to the Winter Court by the new moon. That is three weeks from now.”

  Three weeks?! It seemed so long and yet not nearly enough time to learn about the Fae, their customs, and their history. I had three weeks to pass as one of them. I’d taken classes at Academy on spying but that was as a human not a Fae.

  The King’s brow furrowed. “We don’t want to rush you. However, Astaroth has sent word that is when he’ll be arriving to get you. And King Valefrost is gathering his forces for war. We’d like you already there before any battles can start.”

  Why did I need to pass as one of them at all? Couldn’t I sneak in a disguise and stab him in the back or something? It would be so much easier for me not to be known at all, to wait in the shadows for my time to strike. But Astaroth said I’d never get inside without his help… “I don’t understand what makes the Winter King so powerful. Why does he assert so much control over all the other courts?”

  King Venos returned to his throne. He waved at Helios. “Enlighten her.”

  Helios nodded. “You will learn in your lessons but I’ll briefly explain: his armies are larger, he has total control of two courts and his son is arguably the most deadly faerie in existence.”

  I thought he might continue but I had to ask, “If Astaroth wants him dead, why can’t he do it?”

  King Venos held up a hand. “He would have if he could. But a long time ago, before Astaroth was even a thought,” he leaned forward in his chair, “all kings made a deal.”

  These people and their deals.

  “Valefrost tricked us,” Venos said. “What we thought was a pact for peace actually ensured that no faerie could ever kill the Winter King. It was a clever twist on words that none of us picked up on until the deed was done. If a faerie, say, slashes his throat, the act is instead returned on the attacker’s body.”

  What a prize that would be. “So you can’t kill him. It’s essentially a suicide.”

  “Exactly,” Helios said. “But the deal only pertains to those with faerie blood. A full human can kill him. Every court has sent assassins over the years but getting inside is nearly impossible, getting close to Valefrost even more so. One of ours got close. He’d managed to get inside, posing as a servant but King Valefrost froze and shattered the assassin after the man shot an arrow at him. The arrow didn’t even come close. He has a powerful shielding ability.”

  I gulped. I didn’t want to be frozen and shattered into a million pieces. “So could I poison him?”

  Helios shook his head. “He eats or drinks nothing that a tester has not tried in front of him first. His loyal guards let very few people within striking distance. He will be nearly impossible to get close enough to kill and even then you’ll have to get through his shield, but there will be an opportunity. According to a reliable source, Astaroth has a plan to help you.”

  I fanned myself, suddenly too hot, and light-headed. I’d trained for something like this, with all my years of fighting and magic training, and classes on battles but I hadn’t ever done this. I hadn’t been an assassin. I hadn’t ever had to risk my own life against such a powerful foe. Sure I’d fought back in the heat of the moment against the blood drinkers, but now I had to disguise myself to murder someone who was basically impossible to kill, in a land I knew nothing about. I wished my parents were here for advice.

  Gwindola grabbed my hand and forced it back to my side. “You will be fine, dear.” She ground out the last word. “Trust me. We wouldn’t have gone through so much trouble to retrieve you if we’d thought otherwise.”

  “And because if you don’t kill him, Visteal,” Helios said. “Summer Court will likely be brought to her knees and come under the command of Winter and Night and that won’t be good for any of us.”

  Right, because if that happened I’d never get home. I would keep my word to kill him if I could. It’s not like I had much of an alternative at this point. I turned to Gwindola. “You’re the seer. Have you seen how I can kill him?”

  “No,” she stated. “My ability doesn’t work that way. It came to me in words and only the image of your face.”

  “That is all for now,” the Summer King waved us away. “Teach her what she needs to know, Gwindola. Report back this evening.”

  Giving me a sickly sweet smile, Gwindola nodded. “Back to those lessons.”

  5

  Zyacus

  “We shouldn’t have left her,” Taz tugged at his hair, breaths rushing in and out. The three of us ended up outside the city where we first arrived. In the desert wilderness. Taz’s wild eyes searched the surrounding area. “They’re going to kill her! We must go back! We have to get her!”

  I snatched him by the front of his shirt and jerked him closer. “Calm down,” I growled. Gods, I was about to lose it myself but panicking wasn’t going to get her back. “You’re going to draw someone or something over here with your yelling.”

  Aric had his sword in hand and sniffed the air. “We have no idea what we’re dealing with here. What sort of creatures might exist.”

  I released Taz and searched the desert. Bluish cacti, palm trees, re
ddish dirt, and other sparse vegetation surrounded us. At least there weren’t many places for something to hide and sneak up on us. If we went to the top of the hill we could probably see the city from a distance. “It took us at least a half-hour to get to their city from here which means any number of wild creatures could be close by.” We were far enough away from the city for wild creatures to roam.

  I thought back to the giant man-beast thing Aric, Visteal and I had fought in the arena a few months ago. It wasn’t from our realm. It had to have been from here. Unless there were more realms I wasn’t aware of. But my money was on stupid Firo Hazelvale bringing it in. Where was that sneaky bastard anyway?

  Gaining his composure, Taz straightened his shirt. “What do we do?”

  “I told Visteal if I hadn’t heard from her by nightfall, I’d go back and get her.” My heart felt like it was pounding a thousand beats per minute. I was even having trouble catching my breath. Shit, Taz was right. I shouldn’t have left her. “I don’t know. Maybe I should go back now.”

  “They need Visteal,” Aric said. “Once the King understands that, she won’t be in danger. And you’ve seen what she is capable of. She can get out of there at any time.” Aric’s dark eyes narrowed at me and he shook his head. “But we’re expendable. You stay with us for now. We’ll infiltrate later if we need to.”

  I hated that he was right. She’d told us to leave and she could have too, but she put duty over her own safety. Sometimes I wished she wasn’t so noble. She should have never made this deal to begin with. We should have taken the chance of our armies against theirs. If it had been up to me I’d have let our armies clash and our world burn to keep her from all this. If that made me wrong, I didn’t care. But I couldn’t control her then or now, and I never would.

  Taz turned in a circle. “So where do we go? We can’t stay out here. We’re going to need water and shelter. We will burn in this harsh sun.”