Prisoner of Darkness (Whims of Fae Book 2)(47)

“I hate her,” Scarlett said. “I couldn’t even stand up for myself. God, I’m weak.”

“You are not weak.” Kaelem tipped her chin up. “You’ve been fae for less than a month, and you’re already stronger than any new fae I’ve ever seen. Hell, you’re stronger than a lot of those born full fae.”

Scarlett wanted to believe him, but the way her mouth just froze, unable to utter a single word just at the sight of Kassandra, convinced her otherwise.

Poppy and Cade entered the room. From the look Cade gave his mother, Scarlett doubted he’d invited her here. Was today really the first time Kassandra learned Scarlett was alive? Why wouldn’t Cade have told her as soon as he found out?

Scarlett let Kaelem twirl her around the dance floor for the next hour, until her feet throbbed and all she could think about was sitting down.

“Not much longer, darling,” he whispered in her ear. “Pretend I just said the funniest thing you’ve ever heard.”

Scarlett fake-laughed as believably as she could. Her eyes met Cade’s. A grimace appeared on his face.

As she looked away from Cade, another stare met hers. Laik, the Seelie Queen’s advisor, watched her and Kaelem as they moved across the dance floor. Scarlett gazed into his eyes, swearing she sensed fear.

The Winter Queen rose from her throne. The crowd hushed. Scarlett turned her attention to Nevina.

“I would like to thank you all for joining us in our celebration of the Winter Solstice. Today marks the longest day of darkness in Faerie, when our power is at its height.” Her gaze found Kaelem. “As always, we are loyal to our allies visiting us from the other courts, and we celebrate the continued peace between our peoples.”

Next to Scarlett, Kaelem muttered something under his breath.

“Please continue the celebration. Servers will be around with more wine and hors d’eourve as the festivities continue.”

The crowd shifted back into the flow of dancing. Kaelem pulled Scarlett close and whispered in her ear, “We should make our move soon.”

Scarlett searched for Kassandra but couldn’t find her. Cade and Poppy twirled on the dance floor. Scarlett wished she could make Poppy trip and fall flat on her face, but she didn’t know how.

As a server passed Poppy, the tray full of wine in his hand fell to the ground and splashed onto the bottom of Poppy’s dress. It wasn’t Scarlett’s doing. Was it just a weird coincidence?

Kaelem wrapped his hand around Scarlett’s waist and guided her away from the crowd as everyone stared at Poppy and Cade.

He whispered into her ear, “I thought a diversion to hide our escape was necessary.”

Scarlett giggled.

When they were out of the ballroom and away from the crowd, Scarlett asked. “So what’s our plan?”

Kaelem shrugged. “We don’t exactly have one.”

Perfect. Attacking the Winter Court during the day their power was strongest without a plan.

What could go wrong?





Chapter Twenty-Three





Scarlett hurried next to Kaelem. They headed toward the prison where Aria was being held. Getting to it was easy enough when he had visited her, but her cell was guarded with extra magic.

“Last time, I hid my trail. No one should have known I’d visited her,” Kaelem said as they walked down a dark hall that got colder with every step. “That doesn’t matter this time. We need to be as quick as possible. If we succeed, they’ll know it was us.”

Kaelem reached out a hand to stop Scarlett. He closed his eyes. “Two guards up ahead.”

They continued, and, as they rounded the corner, two winter guards with swords of ice blocked the way.

“No visitors,” one said.

A cloud of darkness burst from Kaelem’s hands into the guard, who flew backwards.

The other sliced his sword at Kaelem. Kaelem ducked and sent a kick into his stomach. The guard buckled over.

The first guard was back on his feet and headed toward Scarlett.

God, she had no idea what she was doing. What was Kaelem thinking wanting her help? The guard lunged at her. She spun and missed the blow.

He turned around and tried again.

Scarlett felt a burning feeling in her hands. Instinctively, she lifted them and a ray of light shot through the air and hit the guard directly in the chest.

He dropped to the ground.

Kaelem had taken care of the other guard.

“Did I kill him?” Scarlett asked.

A wave of guilt rippled through her. Could she have taken another life?

“No,” Kaelem said. “He’s just out cold. He’ll wake up eventually.” He grabbed her hand. “Let’s keep going.”

It was so cold, Scarlett could barely feel her face anymore. Kaelem tugged her further into the ice tunnel. He paused, holding Scarlett back.

“There are no other guards.”

That was good, right?

Kaelem, reading her mind, replied, “Good, yes. But also strange.”

He went first, Scarlett right behind. They turned the last corner to find the dungeon empty of any guards. Kaelem rushed ahead, crying out when he reached the cell at the end of the corridor.

Kaelem crouched down by a slender body crumpled on the floor. The figure was female, but bald. It had to be his sister, Aria.