Prisoner of Darkness (Whims of Fae Book 2)(16)

The Winter Queen had wanted a grip on the Unseelie Court before Kaelem had become king. She’d been after his father, and nearly had her claws into him before his untimely death. Nevina would not be deterred, and had since set her sights on Kaelem.

But she was the last woman he’d ever take as Unseelie Queen.

“You know, I’m a reasonable woman,” Nevina said.

Kaelem’s jaw clenched. If he didn’t fear the repercussions, he’d have killed the Winter Queen right then and there. Her Winter power was limited while his Unseelie power was unrestricted. She’d known he was too strong to control, so she found another way. She stole something from him. Something dear.

“I expect you’ll be joining us for the Winter Solstice,” Nevina said.

“My schedule is already booked. Darn.”

“Then I might feel the need to hurt something, and we wouldn’t want that, now would we?” An evil grin spread across her features, stretching from her mouth to her eyes.

“And if I come?” Hatred threatened to break through his indifferent expression, but he swallowed it.

“Then I’ll be merciful for your stay.”

Kaelem had no choice. He couldn’t risk her retaliation if he turned her down. But he needed to be careful with his bargain. “If I come for the Solstice, you won’t harm what you have of mine?”

Kaelem held out his hand. An official fae bargain.

She pondered the agreement he was suggesting. “If you attend, I won’t harm it during the Solstice.” Nevina gave her hand to him.

Kaelem lifted her fingers to his mouth and gently kissed them.

Bargain sealed.

He would go to the Winter Solstice, and he would get back what was his.





Chapter Six





Cade was eating breakfast alone when he felt a tug at the bond he shared with Poppy. The long dining table was filled with the finest Summer Court options, from pancakes to eggs and bacon to a platter full of fruit in every color of the rainbow. It was more food than Cade could eat in a week, let alone a single meal. At his mother’s request, he was sure.

It had been like that all week. He’d considered asking the servants to make less, but he didn’t want word getting back to Kassandra. She had advised him that kings were superior to common fae and should act as such. So instead, Cade instructed them to take whatever he didn’t eat and divvy it amongst the merchants outside of the castle.

Should his mother find out, he would remind her that a gracious king had the hearts of his people.

Poppy entered the room, hand on hip. “This should be gone.”

He knew she meant the bond. She’d purposefully tugged on it. Cade took a bite of fruit. “I know.”

“Well, what are you doing about it?” She had pulled her blonde hair into a ponytail on top of her head, making her look even fiercer than she usually did. If he hadn’t been Summer King, he’d have feared her.

The tone she used showed her bravery. Or stupidity, since he had the power to throw her in a dungeon or kill her if he saw fit. But he’d be stuck feeling any emotion she felt.

“I…” He paused. He’d tried to think of any other reason the bond hadn’t disappeared, but he couldn’t. He shut the door behind her with his mind. “Come closer.”

She obliged, annoyance spread across her face.

“I lied to you,” Cade said. “I didn’t actually kill Raith.” Anger pulsed through the bond. “He was as good as dead, but I owed him a life debt from when we were children, so I left him unconscious to be eaten by forest creatures.”

It didn’t sound as bad at the time, but now, listening to himself speak the truth aloud, he sounded like either an ass or a coward, neither of which he liked.

“The loser of the battle doesn’t have to die,” Poppy said. “Plenty of kings have shown mercy.”

“But their opponent surrendered,” Cade whispered. No one else could know about this. It would lessen his authority or, worse, remove it completely. And if his mother was right and war was on its way, he needed to have the confidence of his people. “Raith was unconscious when I left him, but he’d never conceded.”

Poppy gawked at him. It was the first time she’d ever not had some smart-ass comment to retort. “Then you aren’t king?”

“I am,” Cade snapped. “He was as good as dead. It was my kindness that allowed him to live.” He’d allowed her to speak freely, but he wouldn’t be told he hadn’t earned the Right of Heir. “I’m going to be making my official visits to the mortal realm courts. The bond should be weakened while I’m away, and I’ll figure out how to break it.”

“You’ll need a guard to go along.”

He’d almost forgotten. When his father had travelled, he’d had two fae accompany him. It broke fae law to hurt another ruler when on an official visit, but none ever went alone. “Yes, thank you. Please find two of our strongest guards to be my escorts.”

“I’ll do it.”

Her? He’d never heard of a female on a Summer royal guard.

“You know I’m the best,” Poppy said. “It’s why your mother selected me to train you.”

How would it look to the other rulers? “I’m not sure.”