Prisoner of Darkness (Whims of Fae Book 2)(33)

“And do you agree with your mother? Should we join forces and break the burden placed against us?”

“I’ll take it under consideration.” It wasn’t a choice he’d make lightly.

“Very well.” The queen nodded once. “Our fae powers were never meant to be restrained. I hope you come to the same conclusion your mother and I have. The time for change has come and sides will be chosen whether you’re ready or not.”

Teaming up with the Winter Queen would guarantee peace between their courts, for the time being, at least. But at what risk?





Chapter Fifteen





Scarlett sat in an empty library, arms crossed in front of her and a grimace on her face. She’d marched away from Cade like she knew exactly where she was going, up the curving ice staircase and into a room at the top of the stairs that happened to be full of books.

She’d wanted to read one while she waited, but she was too afraid she’d touch something she wasn’t supposed to and the Ice Queen would decapitate her with a sword of ice or something equally brutal.

Nevina gave Kassandra a run for her money when it came to creepiness. Scarlett had experienced Kassandra’s mind gift first hand, and she had no desire to ever do so again. But Nevina was a fae queen, too, and Scarlett had no intention of underestimating her abilities.

Maybe if Scarlett had been there with a different man, she’d have flown under the queen’s radar. But she was there with Kaelem, someone the queen obviously wanted. Scarlett wouldn’t be granted three strikes before the Ice Queen knocked her out.

No, Scarlett needed to be on her best behavior.

She’d been sitting for at least fifteen minutes now. Kaelem should be done.

Scarlett went back downstairs. The door was still shut, but Cade was gone. Either he gave up or Kaelem left and Cade entered.

One of the fae who served the food passed Scarlett.

“Excuse me. Do you know where I’d find the Unseelie King?”

The woman looked startled, but answered, “He went to your bedroom.”

Why would he go to her bedroom? “Where exactly is that?”

“Fourth floor, Miss.”

“Thank you.”

When Scarlett found him, he was shirtless and posed on the turquoise and silver design comforter in a less than appropriate position. Unlike the rest of the castle Scarlett had seen, this room was not made entirely of ice. Stone covered the walls and floor. The mahogany bed frame held an intricate design of roses and matched the fireplace hearth across the room, a fire cracking inside.

“There’s my date,” he said.

Scarlett used her magic to swing the door shut. It was becoming more second nature all the time. I’m not your date.

“Now, darling, it’s okay to admit your feelings for me.”

I’m here because I have to be. Nothing more. “Why are you in my room?”

Scarlett craved a nap. Her exchange with Cade had her in a bad mood, and Kaelem’s chipper mood wasn’t helping. Her mother had taught her the best cure for crankiness was to sleep it off, and taking that advice sounded perfect right then.

“Your room?” Kaelem grinned. “Our room, darling.”

A string of swearing filled Scarlett’s thoughts causing Kaelem to laugh. “Now, now, we have to play our parts.”

“I need to have better control of my magic if you want me to be any help. So, when we’re behind closed doors, my trainer is the only part you play.” They were going to steal from the Ice Queen. Right now, Scarlett would be more a liability than anything. He needed to get his priorities straight if he actually hoped to succeed.

“All right then. Let’s practice.” Kaelem scooted over and patted the empty area of the bed next to him, bedding now wrinkled beneath his weight. “We could have some fun to refill your magic supply.”

Scarlett started to refuse, but then she realized how perfect his abs were. The urge to run her fingers over them struck her. Or better yet, her mouth. He’d taste so lovely.

No, ew. Scarlett shook her head side to side, desperate to shake away such vile thoughts.

Kaelem held his stomach as he roared in laughter.

“I thought I’d learned to block you out.” Scarlett huffed.

“You are getting better at it, but I can push right through the shield if I want.”

“Ugh.” Scarlett reluctantly sat on the edge of the bed. “I don’t know why you have any delusions I’m going to be of any good to you.”

“I know you’ll do everything you can.”

And she would. She’d do whatever was in her power to help him if it was the only way to save her sister. He’d used her love as a weakness.

“It’s not weak to care for someone,” Kaelem said.

“Like you care for anyone but yourself.” Scarlett almost regretted her words. She didn’t know Kaelem that well, but he’d taken her sister and she couldn’t forgive him for it.

A candlestick flew from the bedside table at Scarlett. Instinctively, she blocked it with her hands.

“Lesson one: your magic is your greatest asset. You need to lose your mortal habits. You have better protection now.” A pillow lifted from the bed right into Scarlett’s face. “If that was something else, you’d be dead.”