Chapter 3
Three
ALLETTE
Bile climbs my throat, choking off my breath. Is this how I die? Never to see the human realm. Never to hold my beloved prince again. Never to experience all the glorious things a long life has to offer.
The assailant adjusts his grip on my face.
How dare he try to take all of that from me.
Am I really going to let this bastard win without even putting up a fight?
Magic zings through my veins, igniting a fire in my blood. My teeth clamp down on the flesh of his palm at the same time I glamour my wings. They vanish out of existence, setting the villain off balance. When he stumbles forward, I ram my elbow into his gut as hard as I can. Pain engulfs my arm, but I can’t focus on that until I’m safe.
The man doubles over, clutching his stomach.
I throw out my hands, pinning him to the wall with a torrent of air. The man’s hood blows back, and a pair of familiar silver eyes lock with mine.
“ Senan ?” I screech, dropping my hands. The wind vanishes, and Senan slides down the wall, gasping. “You scared me half to death!” For some reason, that makes him chuckle. “I could’ve seriously wounded you.”
That only makes him laugh harder. Does he not take anything seriously?
He taps his closed mouth.
What in the world has gotten into him? Why isn’t he speaking? Why didn’t he tell me who he was the moment he grabbed me?
It isn’t until he mimes locking his lips that I remember his promise from earlier.
“…I will not speak so much as a word to the princess or anyone else.”
Time to see how far he’s willing to go with this. I make a show of searching my pockets for the invisible key before shrugging. “So sorry. I must’ve left the key in my tower.”
Senan’s eyes narrow as he stands, stalks toward me, and stuffs his hand into the back pocket of my pants. With a smirk, he pinches my backside and then pretends to withdraw a key.
“Oh, that key! Completely forgot I put it there.” He “unlocks” his lips and grins. “Your commitment is commendable,” I say, my heart continuing to hammer my breastbone. It’s going to take a while for me to calm down after his little trick.
Senan’s shoulder-length, raven hair falls across his face when he sketches a sweeping bow. “I remain your most devoted servant”—his head lifts and eyes sparkle—“even though you just tried to kill me.”
“That’ll teach you to think twice before manhandling me.” Foolish man. He should’ve known better.
Senan straightens and steps closer, looping his arms around my waist and bringing me flush against his firm chest, which certainly doesn’t help my pounding pulse.
“Or it’ll teach me to bind those hands of yours first,” he says, waggling his eyebrows.
My cheeks warm. Always so uncouth. As pleased as I am to see him, I can’t help but wonder why he has come—and at night, no less. His night guards are particularly tenacious and difficult to slip past. “What are you doing here?”
He taps the mask covering the top half of my face. “You mean besides hunting peacocks?”
“Yes, besides that.”
His heavy sigh sounds as if it carries the weight of the world. “I couldn’t bear the thought of being away from you.” From inside his coat pocket, he withdraws a black crow mask, slipping it over the top half of his face. “So I’m taking you up on your offer to tag along.”
Does that mean he isn’t going to Nimbiss? My heart skips at the thought, but my elation is short-lived. More than likely, he will simply return to Kumulus before they’re supposed to leave.
Senan taps my chin, his expression growing somber. “You’re not a happy peacock.”
I manage a smile even as my heart sinks back into place. “I am a very happy peacock.” Although I’d be happier if I could keep him all to myself and we could be free to love one another for eternity.
Head out of the clouds, Allette . He isn’t meant for you .
Daylight will come, and he’ll be on his way to his betrothed.
I need to be content with these stolen moments.
“Allette? Are you there?” a soft voice calls from the street.
Senan jumps back, tugging me deeper into the shadows.
Stars . How did I forget about Wynn? If she comes, she’ll find out about Senan. But I can’t tell her not to come either. Plus, the thought of having my two most favorite people in the world on this adventure makes me deliriously happy.
Turning to Senan, I keep my voice low. “That is my best friend, Wynn. She won’t tell anyone about us, I swear.”
His silver gaze flicks to the street before returning to mine. “If you trust her, then so do I.”
“Truly?” Could this night get any better? Senan gives a nod. “I’m down here, Wynn!”
“In the alley? Heavens above, Allette, what are you doing down—Oh!” Wynn’s hand flies to her chest when she sees Senan. “You’re not alone.”
I link my arm through Senan’s, giving his toned bicep a squeeze. “Wynn, this is Simon.”
Senan holds out a hand, an easy, welcoming smile gracing his lips. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Wynn.”
“The pleasure is all mine,” she says with a small smirk. “I take it you’re the reason Allette has been smiling so much lately?”
He glances sidelong at me, his grin growing. “I certainly hope so.”
All right, enough of whatever this is. I clap my hands to get their attention. “Right. Now that we’ve introduced ourselves, shall we get moving?”
Instead of letting Wynn go, Senan tugs her out of the alley, leaving me to chase after them. “Tell me this,” he says, leaning close, as if the two of them are in cahoots, “does Allette speak of me often? Does she call for me in her sleep? Does she draw pictures of me when she daydreams?”
Wynn’s high-pitched laughter bounces off the buildings as she hurries along beside him. “Let’s just say that our dear Allette isn’t nearly as pleased to see her other suitors.”
Senan’s spine stiffens, and his steps slow. “Has she many suitors?”
“Oh, yes. At least three or four callers a week.”
A few months ago, that may have been true. But ever since I met Senan, that number has dwindled. Mostly because when other men arrive, I show them no interest whatsoever. Unfortunately, Lord Windell seems to be the only man unable to take the hint.
Senan glances at me from over his shoulder, his brows reaching all the way to his dark hair.
All I can do is shrug. He has no reason to be jealous. None of my suitors hold a candle to him.
Unlike his betrothed, who is surely beautiful and rich and destined to rule an entire kingdom.
Sighing, I lift my gaze toward the thick layer of dark clouds lingering above us. There is something unsettling about not being able to see the stars or moon. Even with the orange fae lights, it still seems so bloody dark.
The wingless Tuath toil in the persistent mist that lingers below our Scathian towers and castles. Down here, they almost never see the sun that we rely on to replenish our magic. Which isn’t an issue for them, I suppose, considering they possess none.
A handful of other fae wearing masks dart from between the thin buildings, falling into step behind us. The conversation about other men, thankfully, ends there.
The closer we get to Kumulus City’s center, the shorter the buildings become, some not even reaching the low-hanging clouds. Glass glitters like fallen stars on the cobblestones beneath boarded-up windows. Shutters sag on rusted hinges. Something with yellow eyes blinks from beneath a handcart missing a wheel. A cat, perhaps. Or a rat.
I’ve never seen a rat myself, but I’ve heard they are dirty, nasty things that carry awful diseases.
Eventually, we reach a black, windowless building as wide as any tower I’ve seen. The flat roof ends right below the clouds, as if the Scathian council doesn’t want its darkness to taint our pristine skyscape above.
No sign hangs over the wide, double doors.
This place doesn’t need one.
Everyone in Kumulus knows of the infamous Black Hole.
The doors ease open, and a young man stumbles out, sagging red wings protruding from his naked back, his skin glowing like he swallowed a living flame.
I’ve never seen a stardust user in person. Fascinating . And kind of beautiful—if you look past the fact that stardust is illegal and can be quite lethal.
Warm fingers wrap around my wrist. Senan pulls me past the star-duster and into an alley that reeks of stale wine. And is that vomit? I pinch my nose against the revolting stench.
A shaft of silver light glimmers from the far end. Wynn smiles at us, seeming oblivious to the smell. The closer we get to the portal, the harder my heart pounds. It feels as if my entire life has led to this very moment. After tonight, I’ll wake up a brand-new woman—one who has experienced the joy and excitement of traversing realms. Someday, I’ll tell my children stories about this very night.
We emerge from the alley into a small square surrounded by low houses. At least twenty Scathians wait around a white marble pool in the center, colorful wings at their backs and liquid starlight painting their masks with silver streaks.
Wynn pokes my arm, gesturing toward a man with mousy brown hair, wearing a bear mask. “Is that the bunny killer?”
Curse that man. Why isn’t he hunting bunnies or cleaning pistols? Is he planning to murder defenseless animals in the human realm so he can cut off their soft little feet?
“Who is the bunny killer?” Senan whispers, his warm breath tickling the shell of my ear.
“No one.”
Like the nosy nellie he is, Senan turns to Wynn and asks her instead.
“He is one of Allette’s most frequent visitors,” Wynn explains like a traitor.
I glower at my friend.
“What?” She shrugs. “He is.”
“Only because my aunt insists on inviting him.”
Senan’s lips press flat as he watches me. From the hard set of his jaw, it’s clear that he has more questions, but this is neither the time nor the place for an in-depth discussion on potential husbands. We can speak about my unwanted and unwelcome suitors after he returns from his princess. Assuming he still wants to see me when he comes back.
“Look!” Wynn whisper-shouts, smacking my arm and pointing back toward the portal. “Someone is about to go through.”
A young man with navy-blue wings and a gold snake mask climbs to the edge of the pool. With an echoing whoop , he leaps straight in, disappearing beneath the surface with a small splash. Fae after fae enter the portal, some more enthusiastically than others. One young woman hesitates until her friend climbs up and clasps her hand so they can take the final step together.
When it’s Lord Windell’s turn, he jumps onto the marble, slips, and ends up falling in head-first. Wynn and I trade laughs, but Senan only frowns. I can’t remember him ever frowning this much.
We wait next to the buildings until only the three of us remain.
When I loosen my glamour, my wings flicker into existence, their weight welcome and familiar at my back. Senan removes his glamour as well, his large black wings stretching wide before tucking in at his spine.
Wynn shifts her weight from one foot to the other, her teeth grazing her lower lip.
Senan turns to my friend. “Aren’t you going to call your wings?”
Wynn’s panicked gaze swings to mine.
I quickly adjust my pack over one shoulder before reaching for Wynn. “She’s a bit nervous. Why don’t you go ahead, and we’ll meet you down there?”
Senan frowns yet again. I really hope this doesn’t become commonplace. Not that he isn’t just as handsome when he frowns. But if he is unhappy, then I’ll become unhappy, and this isn’t a night for unhappiness.
“I’d rather wait to ensure you both make it down safely,” he counters.
“We’ll be fine.”
His eyes narrow. “Allette…”
As if that disapproving tone will work on me. “Simon…”
He folds his arms over his broad chest, clearly not worried about wasting precious minutes arguing over something so silly. Doesn’t he realize the thing closes at daybreak? We only have a handful of hours to spend among the humans. “You’re wasting time,” I tell him.
“I’m ready to go when you are.”
“Then go first.”
“ You go first.”
Wynn shoves both of her hands deep inside the pockets of her black leather pants and takes a retreating step toward the alley. “You know what? I’ve changed my mind. You two go ahead, and I’ll return to the tower. Allette can tell me all about it in the morning.”
She can’t leave now . Not when we’re so close. Why does this man have to be so bloody stubborn? “We can’t go first because I’m carrying her, all right?”
Senan’s lips part in surprise. I really hope he doesn’t choose today to start caring about the rules.
He steps past me to offer Wynn his hand. “How about I bring you down instead?”
And like that, my love for him grows even more.
Wynn takes another backward step toward the shadows.
“What’s the matter?” Senan wiggles his fingers. “Are you afraid I’ll drop you? Because I won’t. At least, I’ll try not to.”
Is he trying to frighten her? She doesn’t know him well enough to understand that he is almost never serious. I dig my elbow into his side. “Don’t worry. He is stronger than he looks.”
He shoots me a sidelong glance. “Is that meant to be a compliment?”
“It’s a simple statement of fact.” Those lean muscles of his are quite strong.
Wynn’s eyes dart between us, and she chews her bottom lip as she considers.
I throw my arm around her shoulders, more determined than ever to bring her along. It’s not her fault that she was born without wings. She deserves to go through that portal as much as the rest of us. “Come on, Wynn. Don’t back out on me now. We’re so close.” And I know without a shadow of a doubt that if she doesn’t come, she’ll be kicking herself tomorrow.
“You’re right,” she says with a resolute nod before glancing back at Senan. “Besides, how many chances will I have to fly around with such a handsome Scathian?”
Senan nudges my shoulder with his. “See, Allette. That is how you give a man a compliment.”
Oh, please. The last thing Senan needs is more compliments. Every woman I know swoons after him. If anything, he needs to be taken down a peg or two.
Senan scoops a giggling Wynn right off her feet and carries her over to the pool’s ledge. “Race you down?” he throws over his shoulder, obviously forgetting the way I thrashed him the last time we raced.
“Only if you want to lose.” I step up next to him, nervousness and excitement buzzing in my chest. This is it. The moment I’ve been waiting for. “Five…four…three?—”
Senan leaps straight in. Wynn’s screams echo through the square until the silver liquid swallows the sound.
Bloody cheater! I dive after them, starlight closing around me like lukewarm bathwater. Only, the liquid isn’t wet. It feels as if my body has been greased in oil as I slip deeper and deeper, falling for what feels like forever until the light vanishes, replaced by frigid air and darkness.
My wings catch the updraft as I search the night. Senan’s bark of laughter echoes far below. I dart toward the sound, blinking rapidly against the icy wind stinging my face. Eventually, my feet meet a rug of frosted grass in the middle of a standing stone circle.
Although there are plenty of footprints, there is no sign of my prince or my friend. Glamouring my wings, pointed ears, and hair takes far more magic than usual, as if the simple spell I’ve been practicing since my wings grew has drained my well of power as bare as the trees creaking around me.
Senan and I will need to conserve our magic if we want to dispel our glamours and recall our wings. Without them, we won’t be able to get back to Kumulus before the portal closes. No one knows why the portal only opens at midnight on Samhain. Some say it’s when the veil between worlds is the thinnest. Either way, we only have until dawn to return. If we miss the window, we’ll be stuck down here for an entire year.
Senan leaps from behind a standing stone, sending me backing into another, squawking like a bloody crow.
“What’d I tell you about sneaking up on me, you gowl!” I ball up my fist and punch him in the shoulder. The night echoes with his laughter.
He doesn’t even have the decency to wince. He’d better watch his back. I’m going to make him pay for that.
Wynn peeks from behind one of the trees in the forest beyond. “Sorry. He made me swear to stay silent.”
“I don’t want to hear it, traitor.” I’ll get her too. Maybe give her salt for tea instead of sugar or leave a frog in her bed. Either way, she will pay for crossing me.
A thud sounds behind us. We turn in unison to find a tall man standing in the center of the circle, his shoulders as broad as the stones at his back. When I see the silver leathers hugging his muscular form, my blood runs colder than the air in this realm.
He isn’t just another Scathian but a member of the royal guards.
Senan curses.
The newcomer’s gray wings remain spread wide as his narrowed eyes lock onto the prince. “You,” he snarls, “are coming with me.”