Prisoner of Darkness (Whims of Fae Book 2)(17)

“You will choose me or I’ll tell everyone what I know.”

What was she thinking? He could kill her for the threat. If he were smart, he would. But Poppy knew from the bond that Cade wouldn’t. The Summer Court had never had female guards, but other courts had. Cade could be the ruler who brought the Summer Court to a new stage, one of equality between genders. His mother had stepped up to rule when his father was sick. He’d always respected women as equals. It was about time the entire Summer Court did as well.

Poppy sighed. “The bond between us could be a good thing. If I’m on your guard, I’ll be able to feel if you’re in danger and, because of the bond, so will you.”

“True,” Cade said. “Fine. Select one more fae and we’ll leave tomorrow morning.”

Poppy nodded once. “Deal.”

Cade could trust Poppy, he hoped. She was the closest thing to a friend he had. He had an entire kingdom to protect now, and, while they admired him, they didn’t truly know him. He’d been raised away from other fae children. His only playmate was his brother. They’d spent hours every day in each other’s company.

Then they had to fight for the Right of Heir. Cade had won. He’d taken Raith down.

And he’d killed Scarlett.

When Cade had realized Raith might still be alive, he wondered if Scarlett could have survived, too. He’d been surprised to learn she had fae blood in her. But he’d hit her too hard, and, fae blood or not, she was mostly mortal. He wanted to believe she’d lived, but he couldn’t. Despite her betrayal of sleeping with his brother, Cade had cared for her. The thought of the two of them together was what made Cade lose control. He couldn’t bring himself to look at her dead body. A braver soul would have brought her back to the castle for burial. But not Cade. Even if he’d found the courage, his mother would have claimed it a sign of weakness.

He couldn’t be weak—not when he had so many people to protect.

Cade would visit the Unseelie Court, the first step to show the other courts that he wasn’t to be trifled with.

Then he would do what he must to protect his people and be the strongest king the Summer Court had ever had.





Chapter Seven





Scarlett turned in front of the mirror. The sequin dress she wore was short, exposing her long legs. Magic still buzzed through her from her training session earlier. She’d never done drugs, but she imagined the high she felt now was better than anything in the mortal world.

She’d wanted to say no when Kaelem offered to show her more of the Unseelie Court. She’d come for business—to learn how to be fae—not for pleasure. But there wasn’t any reason she couldn’t have fun while she was here. She had too much energy to just sit in her room all night anyway, so she agreed to go out with Kaelem if he’d take her somewhere she could check in with Ashleigh. Earlier, he had evanesced her out of the Unseelie Court long enough for her to call her sister and give yet another lie. Scarlett said she was going camping with a friend from high school. Ashleigh was hanging out with her maybe-boyfriend so she didn’t press for more information. It would buy Scarlett at least a week, which would hopefully be enough time to learn what she needed.

She already felt more in control of her power after one lesson. Maybe being fae wouldn’t be so bad after all, though she wasn’t holding her breath.

“Sexy,” Kaelem said as he walked into Scarlett’s suite.

“I could have been naked,” she said with mock outrage.

“I heard your approving thoughts of the dress you’re wearing before I came in.” He eyed her up and down. “I agree, you look fabulous. Besides, if I had walked in on you naked, at least we’d be even.”

“I’ll lock the door next time.”

“As if that would keep me out.” Kaelem smirked. “Are you ready?”

Scarlett ran her hands through her long waves. “Yep.”

Kaelem took her hand and she felt herself moving swiftly through the air. When they landed, tall buildings surrounded them.

“Where are we?” Scarlett asked.

“Starlight, the Unseelie City.”

Bright lights shone all around. Fae walked up and down the streets, most with brightly colored hair and bold outfits. There were humans with them, too. Scarlett could sense the difference in their auras. She inhaled the human emotion around her. Curiosity mixed with lust and gluttony. Delectable.

Though the setting replicated a downtown New York street, it was noticeably void of cars or vehicles of any kind.

“There’s a subway underground, but it’s the only form of transportation allowed in the city.” Kaelem twined his arm with Scarlett’s. “Let’s go.” He led her down the street.

The fae around them murmured as they passed by. They must have known who Kaelem was. He paid them no attention. He guided Scarlett to the front of a long line. A short creature with wrinkly skin and a large nose stood at the entrance to one of the buildings. He didn’t look like a bouncer.

“Never underestimate a goblin. They’re small but deadly.”

The goblin glanced at Kaelem and bowed. It looked at Scarlett, its black eyes hypnotizing her. All her thoughts vanished.

Kaelem tugged Scarlett past the goblin. Within seconds, her thoughts returned. What had happened?