Prisoner of Darkness (Whims of Fae Book 2)(9)

“Thanks for standing up for me,” Scarlett said, her head on Teddy’s shoulder.

“Always.”

Even though Scarlett had more power now than she ever knew existed, fear consumed her. She wasn’t in control of herself. Anyone around her was in danger. She could never forgive herself if she hurt someone she loved.

She thought of Teddy, Natalie, and Ashleigh. They were mortal. They were fragile. Scarlett wasn’t either of those things now, at least not physically. Her mind felt delicate as she realized the life she lived before was no longer hers. She’d have thought magic would make life easier, not more complicated.

“Wanna watch a movie?” Teddy asked.

“Sure. What are you in the mood for?” Scarlett went to the entertainment center and opened the cabinet that held all the movies.

“You pick.”

“Are you sure that’s safe?” Scarlett grinned.

“It’s a risk I’m willing to take.”

Scarlett grabbed the girliest chick flick she could find and popped it into the DVD player.

She resumed her position next to Teddy, his warmth pressing into her side. He wrapped his arm around her and held her close, releasing a playful groan when he realized the movie she’d picked.

Halfway through, Teddy dozed off. She watched his peaceful sleep as her thoughts drifted away. Scarlett knew what she needed to do. She’d made her share of mistakes in her life, but nothing would compare to losing control and hurting someone she cared about. She would never forgive herself if she caused someone she loved pain with her fae magic.

As much as she hated the thought of taking Kaelem up on his offer, she hated feeling out of control even more. Scarlett sighed and kissed Teddy’s forehead.

Carefully, she scooted out of the comfort of his arms and propped him against pillows. Without a look back, Scarlett left before she changed her mind.



When she got home, Scarlett went straight to her room.

She opened her desk drawer and reached for the sapphire in the back.

God, she wished there was another way. But she hadn’t heard from Raith since he’d left, and, even if he was there with her, Kaelem had been the one to give her the pill. He would have to be the one to help her now.

He’d warned her there would be a price.

She stared at the jewel, warm to the touch, in her hand, searching her mind for some other option. When she came up blank, she closed her palm and thought of Kaelem. It burned hot.

With her eyes still closed, she heard him.

“Hello, darling.”





Chapter Four





Scarlett felt herself pulled through the air. She wasn’t sure how far they went, but within seconds, she and Kaelem appeared in front of a mansion.

The Unseelie Palace.

To say it was different than she expected was an understatement. It was absolutely nothing like she’d pictured. It was white from top to bottom, made mostly with square lines except for a large cylindrical turret on the front right corner.

“A bit different than the stuffy Summer Court,” Kaelem said.

Scarlett had almost forgotten he stood next to her. The white of the palace stood out against the blackness of the sky above.

Clear as could be, millions of stars shone down on them. Scarlett had never been afraid of the dark. She’d relished it. And the night sky above was more beautiful than anything she’d ever seen.

“What time is it here?” It had been early morning when Scarlett had left Natalie’s house, the sun slowly rising from the horizon.

“Noon.”

“Huh?”

“The Unseelie Court is also known as the Night Court.”

After everything she’d seen in the Summer Court, and everything inside her that had changed, she wasn’t sure why that, of all things, shocked her.

“Let’s go inside.”

Kaelem wrapped his arm around Scarlett’s waist and guided her forward.

The entryway, made entirely of glass, stood tall. Its double doors swung open in front of them.

A fae with hot pink hair greeted them at the door. She wore a short black skirt, white crop top, and high black boots. Had Scarlett seen her on the streets, she may have thought her a stripper.

The smirk on Kaelem’s face told Scarlett he’d been in her mind.

Jerk.

A bigger smirk.

“King,” the fae said.

“Hello, Lola. This is Scarlett. She is an honored guest and will be treated as such. Please prepare a suite for her.”

“Will do.” She nodded and marched up the wooden staircase in front of them.

Scarlett pictured one of Kassandra’s servants saying “will do” to her. She chuckled.

“You’ll find our court is much different than the Summer Court.”

“Obviously.”

“Lola will follow any command I give her, but we don’t waste our breath on formality. Life’s too short.”

“Can’t the fae live a long time?”

“If not killed, yes. Best to sleep with one eye open.” Kaelem’s eyes twinkled.

Whether or not she’d accepted it, Scarlett was fae now. She hadn’t thought about living longer.

“You’ll get used to the changes,” Kaelem said. “Now, it’s lunch time.”