Marked by the Fae King (Courts of Faery #4)

Chapter 1

I t’s the ordinary days I have to watch out for.

The ones where nothing goes wrong, everything seems completely normal, and life is brimming with hope and optimism.

Because it’s those days that I let my guard down.

Just when I’m convinced nothing is going to go wrong, life whips around and bites me like the feral cat who used to live in our neighborhood that I was always determined to pet, no matter the cost.

It hurt like hell then too. But what choice is there? Of course I’m going to pet the damn cat, and of course I have to keep on moving forward even when I can’t see the hole I’m about to step into.

Well, half, minus me and a handful of others.

It’s Friday after all. Most people have plans. Some are probably already a pint deep at the bar or home and having dinner with their kids. I don’t have the latter, and there are far more important things taking up my focus than the bottom of a beer glass or thoughts of a one-night stand.

“Aimee!” The chipper cry of my name has me jumping in my seat, fingers leaping off the keyboard where I’d been squinting at a set of test results.

I’ve yet to full swing around in my roller chair when Nadia fills the entrance to my cube, her designer laptop bag hanging from one shoulder and her pink blazer entirely too perky for medical research.

Her bright attire tends to stick out as much as her eternal optimism.

Not that anyone really minds. In fact, most seem drawn to it.

It’s not that I don’t appreciate it. I actually like her more than most. Maybe it’s envy that holds me back, the wish that I could be so happy and carefree all the time.

It's on the tip of my tongue to tell her hi when she jumps right in instead.

“You’re still here!”

My smile flickers, and I try to cover it by brushing a wayward strand of dark brown hair back from my face. As if that’s not almost always the case.

It’s not that I love my job. I like it, sure, but for me it’s about far more than a paycheck, a promotion, or anything else. It’s personal. It’s the one thing I can do to maybe make a real change related to something, or rather someone, that matters more than pretty much anything else.

“Some of us are going to Radiance tonight. Actually—” She casts a glance at the far wall of floor-to-ceiling windows.

I don’t need to look to know that it’s already nearing sunset, even though the sun goes down late this time of year.

The rays reflect off the nearby glass buildings, giving the whole room a warm and unnaturally bright glow.

Her attention snaps back to me. “Some of the group is probably already there. Maybe you want to join us?”

Me? Join? I blink as the question fully takes hold. “I appreciate the invite—”

“I know.” Her shoulders drop, and damn if she doesn’t actually look disappointed.

“You’re always putting in extra hours, but the work will still be there on Monday.

Why not let loose a little and have some fun?

Adrian is bringing some of his soccer buddies.

” Her eyebrows jump meaningfully. “It’s just a casual league, but I’ve seen pictures, and let me tell you… ” She fans herself.

I lean back in my chair, considering her offer.

It would be nice to have some fun. It has been ages since I’ve gone out, much less had a date or even the hope of one.

The work will be here on Monday. And while patients definitely need the treatments we’ve been working on, not to mention a certain other someone, maybe one evening won’t hurt.

I grin. “You know, that actually sounds really—”

Buzz. Buzz.

My cell phone vibrates where it lies on top of my desk. I look at the lit-up screen, and my heart plummets straight into my stomach.

One word and life has snuck up and bitten me again.

Mom.

“I…” It’s hard to make the words come out. There’s a tightness in my chest stealing my breath, and all I can manage is a weak whisper. “I need to get this.”

“Oh.” Nadia senses the change immediately. “I’ll leave you to it,” she says quickly. “Radiance tonight, if you can make it.” And then she’s hurrying away down the cubicle row.

Buzz. Buzz.

I don’t even have to pick up the phone to know nothing good is waiting for me on the other end of the line.

This isn’t a “Hey sweetie, how was your week?” kind of call.

Not an invitation for a family dinner or some other random event.

She texts with that stuff or waits for me to call her like I usually do on Saturday mornings. Nope, this is something terrible.

My whole body feels equally painful and numb as I finally pick up my phone and answer the call. “Mom?”

Please be a mistake. A butt dial. Anything but—

“Aimee.” She sniffs, and my heart cracks in two. “It’s your brother.”