Two
Aeryn
Sofiya softly touched my arm, somehow navigating the darkness within this dreadful contraption. “We”re here,” she whispered.
“Are you sure?” I asked just as the rough wooden wheels of the carriage creaked to a stop.
“Yes,” she chuffed.
I nearly smiled. I”d forgotten how well she anticipated things; and how poorly she handled being hungry and tired.
The door closest to me swung open and the late afternoon light spilled into the compartment. I shielded my eyes, adjusting.
“Welcome to Thornewood Castle,” the strange male greeted, extending a hand to help us down. He was dressed more like a butler, with a fitted black jacket over a pressed white shirt, not a soldier.
No one moved.
As much as I could manage, I did a quick check of each face. We”d been ordered not to speak to one another, but it was nearly impossible with a group of eight crammed into a space meant for six or seven.
Thankfully, the occupants hadn”t been complete nightmares. There”d been a lot of “I”m sorry” and “excuse me” thrown around each time one of us shifted to get more comfortable.
“Astrid?” I checked on the female across from me.
“I”m fine,” the sunset-haired fae waved me off. She”d had a rough go of things on the journey. Sofiya and I had done our best to make her comfortable.
The waiting attendant cleared his throat, his arm jutting further inside. “Please exit the carriage. It”s best not to keep the king waiting.”
I hopped out without taking his hand, my boots sinking into the soft earth. We were in a silt-covered courtyard with dozens of carriage tracks on the ground. Before I could take in the rest of my surroundings, Sofiya stepped out and gave me a quick squeeze with her hand.
The other females followed, stumbling from the carriage in various states of dishevelment after a full day of rough travel.
A sharp cry rent the air. I whipped around to find Astrid collapsed on the ground, clutching her head. Her skin had taken on a sickly green pallor.
In two strides I was at her side, dropping to my knees. Golden red strands clung to her brow, darkened by the dampness on her forehead.
“Someone find a healer!” I shouted at the armored riders doing nothing more than staring down at us.
“What”s happening?” A gruff voice called out from behind his helmet as he and his horse trotted over.
Wonderful. It was him.
“Ah, I should have known it was you. Should we expect constant outbursts for the duration of your time here?”
“Can”t you see she”s ill?” I snapped. “You fools locked a light fae in that cramped carriage for hours with no access to light. What were you thinking?!”
“Watch yourself, little hellion,” he warned. “Light fae survive the dark of every night without issue.”
“Because they aren’t usually already low on life-source when soldiers come to throw them inside a black box, you idiot! Did no one notice she’d just returned from a skirmish with traders headed to Andara? The wounds she’d sustained? Of course you didn’t! Now get a healer before I report your incompetence to the king himself!”
Heated energy blasted me in waves and I froze. My throat ran dry. This male could kill me as easily as look at me with that level of power. Perhaps I”d pushed the bastard a little too far.
“Please,” I softened my tone, trying not to choke on the word. “I only mean to help. It is my nature.”
He snorted. “Your nature is to constantly test my patience.”
With a grunt, he wheeled his horse around and rode off, barking orders for a healer to be dispatched immediately.
I closed my gaping mouth. The brute had actually listened to me.
Sofiya knelt, clutching Astrid”s hand. “It will be alright,” she soothed. “Help is coming.”
I reached out and pulled Astrid”s wayward hair away from her face, willing the healer to hurry. No one deserved such mistreatment, especially not for some ridiculous contest to vie for a male”s affections.
The healer arrived almost immediately with guards to help move Astrid inside. Once she was in safe hands, I turned, ready to face whatever came next–which, apparently, was the cutting stares of the contestants who”d come out of other coaches.
My blood still simmered with anger over Astrid”s mistreatment, and I vowed this would not be an easy experience for King Nox–or for the fae now sizing me up.
“Aeryn,” Sofiya interrupted my thoughts. “Look.”
Peering up at what had caught her attention, my mind registered the magnitude of Thornewood. It was an imposing construction, stretching as wide as my peripheral, and it felt just as tall.
Storm-grey stone stood out against the dusky sky, all harsh angles and looming towers that seemed to pierce the clouds. Touches of artistry softened the edges, with intricate carvings and mirrored glass windows that caught the last rays of the sun.
Even from this distance, I could see the complex detailing on windows and door frames, like lace made of stone. I”d never seen anything like it.
“It”s beautiful,” I whispered, my eyes drinking in the sight.
Sofiya snorted. “I suppose.”
I shot her a quizzical look, but she just shook her head. “Ignore me. I shouldn”t be surprised you so easily find light in the dark.”
“I think you have us mixed up, Sofi.”
She shook her head again. “Come on, we don”t want to get left behind. Thornewood is so big we might never be found.”
Arm in arm, we walked over to the back of the group gathered around the butler who”d opened our coach”s door. We only caught the end of his little speech.
“… not speak or touch anything until you get to your rooms. Now, if you will please follow me inside,” he bowed shallowly and escorted us up the stairs and into the castle.
Just past the doorway, he took an immediate left through a narrow passageway that led to a small room with two other passages connected to it.
“This way, please,” a new voice spoke, feminine and sweet.
The group followed dutifully, walking past the male who eyed each contestant warily. I was too far back to see our new leader, but I already preferred her over the male who appeared put out by our presence.
Once we reached the bottom of another staircase, we stopped. The new servant, a pale plump female with kind brown eyes, stood a few steps up to see us better.
“My ladies, only a minute more and we”ll be there. I”m sure you all would like to freshen up as soon as possible, so we”re taking the most direct route,” she explained before continuing through winding stone corridors lit by torchlight.
I wondered if she”d waited until out of earshot from the grumpy butler to explain why we weren”t moving through the main parts of Thornewood.
“Here are your rooms,” the servant said, gesturing to a long hallway lined with heavy wooden doors. “Please make yourselves comfortable and prepare to meet His Majesty. When you are ready, proceed to the common area at the end of this hall.” With a curtsy, she took her leave.
Most of the females dispersed into their rooms, chattering excitedly at the prospect of meeting the king. A contestant strode over to me, icy blue eyes glinting between perfectly styled rose gold curls.
“Aren”t you a bold one, shouting at the king”s guard like that,” she purred. “I”d be careful if I were you, dearie. Nox does not tolerate insolence. He”d be right to punish you. Then again, it might not matter much since you obviously won”t make it through the trials.”
I bristled at the thinly veiled threat, my mouth opening without thought.
“I don”t tolerate the mistreatment of others,” I shot back. “And none of you seemed inclined to lift a finger.”
Her lips twisted into a sneer. “So noble,” she mocked. “But noble fae don”t last long in Nox”s court. Or his bed.”
My hands curled into fists as I struggled not to rise to the bait. I”d met fae like her, beings who enjoyed putting others down to make themselves feel superior. She was the worst kind of bully, and I refused to give her the satisfaction of a reaction.
With a disdainful sniff, she flounced away, the train of her deep crimson skirt swirling dramatically behind her.
Sofiya came to stand beside me, slipping her arm through mine. “Pay her no mind,” she said. “She”s only trying to rile you because she so obviously wants to win.”
“As if I care what that viper thinks,” I scoffed, though the comments had struck a nerve.
The shrew was right about one thing. If I wanted to survive, I would need to rein in my temper and be more careful with my words. I refused to change who I was, or stand by while others were mistreated, but I could dial back my mouth.
“We don”t have much time,” I told her. “Clean up and we can walk together to meet our captor.”
Paying little mind to my provisional quarters, I hurried to wash off the stench of travel and pulled my long, light honey-brown hair into a simple braid. I wasn”t impressed with the clean clothing supplied, but at least it smelled nice.
Sofiya was waiting for me when I stepped into the hall. Her eyes rounded, looking me up and down.
“Not a word, Sofiya. Not one.”
Her hands slapped over her mouth dramatically and she mumbled nonsense into them. I laughed, quickly quieting as three contestants moved past us.
Soberly, Sofiya hooked her arm with mine. We followed them down the hall, wondering what awaited us on the other side of the double doors.
The common room wasn”t what I was expecting. It was similar to the quarters I”d been assigned, decorated with rich colors, large comfortable furniture, and luxurious rugs. Gaming tables were set up. Bookshelves lined one full wall.
Pockets of females were gathered in various spaces. It appeared as though Sofiya and I were the last to arrive. Though, I didn”t see Astrid and hoped she was faring well.
“Welcome, ladies,” the kind-eyed servant greeted from the front of the room. “You will be called in one at a time to meet the king. He likes to take his time so please make yourselves comfortable.”
A few excited titters arose.
“King Nox has requested that you do not speak to one another until tomorrow. After your meeting, you will return to your rooms and dine alone, then you are expected to rest. Guards will be stationed in the hallway. Should you need anything, you can ask one of them to find me. Any questions?”
No one spoke. In fact, quite a few studiously ignored the servant.
“I have one,” I said.
“Yes?”
“What is your name?”
Subtly, the servant”s head shook. “Pardon?”
“Your name? So that we know what to call you?”
“You call her servant,” someone derided from the corner of the room.
I didn”t look to see who it was. I had a feeling I knew.
The servant”s clasped hands tightened, her mouth pinched.
“That will be all, Greer,” a voice reverberated through the room as the big blonde guard from this morning strode through the door.
Sir Vanilla had ditched his soldier garb. He”d traded for clean black leathers and a tan embroidered tunic I feared his muscles might bust out of at any moment. He was still armed with a sword on one hip and smaller blades on his belt.
Greer curtsied and said, “Thank you, my lord,” before making haste to get out of the common room. I couldn”t blame her.
Wait ... my lord?
“Sit,” he commanded, snapping and pointing like we were dogs. The females dropped in unison with rapt attention, as though he”d cast a spell over them.
Sofiya tugged my skirt and I carefully lowered to the seat beside her. It wasn”t easy considering how stiff and uncomfortable my garments were.
The fine dress, a deep emerald green, had been laid out on the bed along with soft, racy underthings–underthings I”d die before admitting how empowered they made me feel once I had them on.
The shoes, gorgeous as they were, I hadn”t any idea how to walk in. So I kept my boots. I”d gone through the wardrobe to look for garments and footwear more to my tastes, but it was empty.
The male”s grey eyes fell on each contestant, keen and observant. He paused on Sofiya, his broad chest expanding with his deep inhale. She didn”t breathe until he moved on to the next female.
I wasn”t disappointed he paid me no mind. I supposed he”d already assessed me during our short interaction in Greenhollow.
When his once-over got to the petite female with white-blonde hair, his jaw flexed. Her face blanched, but she didn”t look away until he addressed the room.
“I am Lorne Scullbrook, but you”ll call me sire or my lord.”
Well, that explained it. He was one of the king”s brothers, the second one, I believed. Allegedly the youngest two hadn”t lived at Thornewood since they were babes but I”d never heard why.
“I”m overseeing the trials. You have a problem getting along with another contestant? Not interested. A complaint or special request? Really not interested.”
He strode purposefully to the black door on the far side of the room as he spoke. “What I am interested in is that you follow the rules, which have all been written down and placed on your dressers. The primary one being you do not maim or kill another contestant outside of the trials where it is not explicitly forbidden.”
Sofiya and I glanced at one another.
Lorne took up position against the wall. “Now, you”ll be called in one at a time, by order of your room numbers. I suggest you prepare yourselves to meet your king if you haven”t yet had the pleasure.”
“Zoriyah, you”re first.” Reaching out, he rapped twice on the paneled door.
The female with the pinkish curls stood gracefully. Now I had a name to go with the attitude.
I squashed my desire to peek when the door opened and instead focused on my friend. Grimly, Sofiya smiled and gave a little shrug. If she could be brave, so could I.
Long minutes passed in the silent room. I got up to find a book to keep me occupied. If King Nox was going to spend this much time with each female, we”d be here a while.
Just as I”d put my hand on a leather spine, the door opened. Zoriyah”s haughty smirk seemed typical. Her state of disarray did not. The turquoise silken gown she donned was now wrinkled. Her lips swollen and face flushed.
By the gods, had the king ravaged her in that room?
I hardly heard Lorne call for the next contestant, too focused on Zoriyah passing by.
“As good as you remember?” a female whispered mischievously.
“Better, Dori. He”s even better,” Zoriyah bragged, winking at me as she moved past and exited.
A rock sank in my stomach. Sofiya shot me a worried look.
Obviously Zoriyah and Nox had a history. That”s what that was; and more power to her. If he was into her, it would keep the rest of us out of his notice. I hoped.
I grabbed the book and the one next to it and returned to my seat. Handing one to Sofiya I nodded meaningfully at it. Silently, we buried our heads in the stories.
By the time I ended the second chapter, the next female stumbled out, clutching at the choker around her throat. The stain on her lips had smeared. Dreamily she floated back through the common room”s entrance.
There were twenty-four contestants, plus one more if I counted Astrid. Did the king mean to have his way with them all? Or whatever it was he was doing to them?
“Do you think ...” an ethereal voice began. “Are we expected to–”
“Quiet Raina or I”ll muzzle you myself,” ordered a male from the hallway.
I looked up to see violet eyes flash as Sir Chocolate entered. Raina. The pale blonde fae Lorne had glared at. She wasn”t off to a great start.
The soldier marched straight toward her. Raina popped out of her chair and circled behind it, hands clutched on the back.
“That”s right, run away from me, little nymph” he smirked bitterly. “It”s what you do best, after all.”
Raina flinched. “Liam, I—”
“Need to sit down and shut up,” he finished for her. “Nox will be done with you soon enough.”
She blinked rapidly, nodding to herself as her cheeks bloomed. I snapped my book shut with a thud, startling Raina. I motioned her over to sit on the couch with us, relieved when she did.
Liam gave the three of us a glare then took up his post next to Lorne. I handed Raina my book and retrieved a third. Maybe I”d have time to finish one.
A couple of hours passed by and I let myself become engrossed in the book, a tale of dragon riders fighting off the powers of evil in a dying land. What I wouldn”t give to have a dragon right now.
“Raina,” Lorne called, dispelling the fantasy in my head.
Slowly, she closed the cover and set the book near her hip. With a straight back, she rose and walked confidently to the door. Not once did she look at the two watchdogs astutely observing her approach.
The door shut and I looked back down to find my place. I”d barely gotten through a paragraph when the door opened again.
Raina, who did not have the look of someone who”d been manhandled, hurried out of the common room without a backwards glance. While her face had given nothing away, her pace suggested alarm.
Lorne caught my eye and motioned to the door. Good. Sofiya would go after me and this part would be over.
Her warm hand patted my knee, giving me strength. If her gentle spirit could handle this, so could mine.
I took a steadying breath and walked forward with measured steps. The door was wide open and I finally saw what was inside.
Behind a bronzed, ornately carved desk, sat the King of Falcondale. His gaze sharpened as I approached, a hungry gleam entering those fathomless grey eyes.
King Nox
He was impeccably dressed, in black leather and silk. Several rings adorned his long fingers, one of them a heavy black and gold signet ring bearing the royal crest.
The jewels did nothing to hide the callouses on several fingertips, or the scars above and below the knuckles. Some metals, especially iron, could leave scars like that.
The king”s eyes were hooded, revealing little of his thoughts. Yet there was a slight tension in the set of his shoulders and mouth.
The egotistical ass should be tense. More than, if you asked me. He meant to choose a bride as one might select a prized anima. Some animals liked to bite.
The door clicked shut, ominous despite the quiet of the sound.
King Nox leaned back in his chair. His gaze slid over me, a muscle in his jaw twitched.
Unfolding his long frame, he met me on the nearest side of the desk. I offered a curtsy and kept my expression carefully neutral. “Your Grace.”
“Lady Aeryn.” His voice was like velvet, soft and sinuous.
Nox waved a hand toward the small sitting area off to the left, in front of an unlit fireplace. “Take a seat.”
There was only a love seat and a coffee table. I eyed the burgundy and black fabric, envisioning what he”d gotten up to on it.
“Problem?”
“No problem, sire,” I answered and took the spot closest to the door.
Nox didn”t sit, thankfully. Instead, he went to the small bar in the corner, poured a glass of some fruit-scented drink, and sat it in front of me.
I didn”t reach for it.
“You caused quite a stir this morning.”
His voice was a low rasp, sending unwelcome heat curling through my veins. I stiffened my spine and met his stare with unveiled defiance.
“I”m not sure what you mean, Your Majesty.”
A slow smile spread across his face, revealing the tips of elongated canines. My heart stuttered at the sight. Some fae drew blood from bites, usually during battle or ... sex.
He casually leaned against the stone of the hearth. “Faulty memory?”
“My memory is sound. Sire,” I quickly tacked on.
“You have permission to drop the formality of title for now,” he said, surprising me. “It can just be us in here, so please call me Nox.”
His voice was sex and decadence and I worried he was using magic on me. I didn”t scent it, but how else could I explain my reaction?
Nox reached behind him and retrieved a blade from the back of his belt.
“Recognize me yet, little hellion?”
His dark grey eyes lit teasingly. My lips formed an O-shape. I locked onto the dagger he was carelessly tossing.
That was my dagger. My blood heated. King Nox had been the one under the helmet.
“A female of your spirit is hard to find. I”ve been looking forward to this moment all day.”
He wanted to drop the formalities? Fine. I could do that.
“Have you?” I arched my brow, fighting to keep my expression aloof. “I”m afraid I cannot say the same.”
Nox chuckled, the sound low and sinful. “So contrary. It”s one of the things I admire about you.”
“You don”t know the first thing about me.”
“I know you”d sacrifice your life for sweet Sofiya out there.”
My pulse took off. Was that a threat?
“Offering up yourself took courage and a heavy dose of recklessness. I know you”re mouthy and fickle and you wear your feelings on your sleeve. I also know you prefer comfort and simplicity.”
“What?”
He pointed the blade at my feet. “You”re wearing the boots you came here with.”
“Why are you telling me all this?” Fae couldn”t lie but I was having trouble accepting his words.
“Because I liked it. Was insanely attracted to it. I intend to explore that attraction,” he vowed, putting the dagger back in its new sheath.
“You don”t have my permission to touch me.”
“I don”t need it, little hellion. I”m the fucking king.”
I jumped to my feet. “No.”
He pushed off the wall in a fluid motion and prowled toward me, eyes gleaming. “Shall we see if I can change your mind?”
I held still as he approached, refusing to be cowed. Nox might be king, but I would never bend to his will. Not for this. Not even if it meant losing my life.
“You”re welcome to try.” I met his gaze without flinching. “But you”ll find I”m not so easily swayed.”
Nox”s smile turned predatory. “All the more enjoyable when I convince you.”
He reached out to caress my cheek, but I turned my head away. His hand dropped and anger flashed in his eyes. I had offended his pride.
Good.
I crossed my arms over my chest, refusing to give him an inch. “Are we done here, King?”
“Careful,” Nox warned, voice dropping to a dangerous purr.
When his eyes dropped to the cleavage of my chest I dropped my arms. He growled and jerked me against him.
I stiffened, heart pounding as Nox leaned in close. His enticing scent enveloped me. I clenched my jaw to stop from inhaling any more of the spicy drug.
“Every second in your presence, you try my patience. Perhaps I should teach you a lesson.”
I bared my teeth. Rage boiled in my veins at his arrogance and I wrenched away from his grasp.
“The only way you”ll have me,” I threatened, fingers tight around the hilt of the dagger I”d stolen back, “is over my dead body.”
“Clever little minx.” Nox’s praise came after he glanced down at the weapon pressed to his manhood. He made no move to stop me.
My heart pounded as I stared at him down, ready to draw blood if he so much as twitched.
“Touch me again without permission,” I said softly, “and you”ll lose more than your pride.”
Nox”s jaw clenched, but he didn”t retaliate.
“Lower the blade,” he growled, “or you will pay dearly for this insult.”
I pressed the dagger harder. “I wish to bargain.”
Nox”s eyes flashed with surprise, but he remained still. After a long moment, he inclined his head.
“I will not harm you,” he said stiffly. “Now remove your dagger and ask me properly for a bargain before I truly lose my patience.”
I hesitated, searching his gaze for any sign of deception. But his expression had shuttered closed, revealing nothing of his thoughts.
Cursing under my breath, I took a wary step away from the king.
“I cannot decide if you”re incredibly foolish or incredibly brave,” he pondered aloud.
“Probably both.”
Nox”s lips curled. “Sit and tell me what it is you think you want.”
As though nothing had happened, we both sat on the loveseat.
“Sofiya is the last contestant you”re meeting today. I don”t want you to touch her.”
“Not even to take her hand?” he teased.
“Not even that.”
“Why?”
“She”s not like me. Or any of the other females. Her heart is ... too soft for this.”
“I think you misjudge your friend, Aeryn.”
“I”ve known her most of my life. She”s not the type to handle the trials and come out unharmed, and I don”t just mean physically. I wouldn”t have attempted to trade places with her if she were.”
“And what are you offering in return?”
“In return? I just released your family jewels from harm.”
Nox chuckled. “My jewels, as you say, were never in harm”s way.”
With a flick of his wrist, the dagger disappeared from my grip. “Give it back,” I seethed.
“You can have it back once I”m confident you won”t use it on me. And don”t bother searching my belt. You won”t find it there.”
My molars ground. I reached for calm.
“Now,” he put one arm on the back of the couch and leaned closer, “answer the question.”
I had nothing with which to bargain, nothing of value other than my dagger and the small plot in Greenhollow. I offered him both and he shook his head slowly.
“I have nothing else to offer,” I told him.
“That”s not true. In fact, I know what I want and only you have it.”
Nox shifted closer, his arm behind me now. Not touching, but close.
I didn”t move. Could hardly breathe.
“If you don”t want my mouth on her body, then I”ll have it on yours instead.”
Muscles I didn”t know I had clenched between my legs. Butterflies flew around in my belly. My body was betraying me in the worst of ways.
“Just your mouth?” I checked.
Shit. Was I actually entertaining his smarmy request?
“Unless you ask for more.”
“And just kissing? On my mouth?”
The tilt of his lips was a wicked, wicked thing. “Again, unless you ask for more.”
“Fine,” I agreed, closing my eyes. “Get it over with.”
“I have to say, this is a first for me,” Nox mused.
“Same.”
“You”ve not bargained for mouth-only kisses?” he jested.
My eyes popped open. “No. I”ve never had to bargain with my body to get something I want.”
Nox stilled, something feral stared out at me from deep within his eyes, a beast coming to life in his psyche. It called to the wildness inside me, the untamed voice I”d always kept buried deep.
Uh oh.
“Spread your legs, Aeryn.” His pitch fell so low I felt it vibrate across my skin.
Alarm bells went off in my mind. “But—”
“I agreed not to go beyond a kiss. Now spread your fucking legs.”
Tentatively I pulled my knees wider. The skirt of the dress shifted, fabric dropping between my legs like it was making room for the king.
Nox lowered to the floor, kneeling between my legs. Bending his face to just inches above the juncture of my thighs, he inhaled deeply.
Goosebumps broke out across my skin.
A low rumble echoed from his chest as his spine straightened, his face closing in on mine. The king”s hands landed on the back of the couch, on either side of my head.
Unable to look away, I watched his mouth descend. Soft and oh so gentle, his lips brushed mine. Electricity sparked between our flesh. I gasped and his tongue probed carefully. My abdominals tightened, breasts turned heavy.
Then he was gone. Confused, I looked up and found him twenty feet across the room.
Nox waved a dismissive hand. “Go,” he ordered, “and pray I”m in a forgiving mood when next we meet.”
I sat there in stunned silence, face burning.
“Sofiya is safe from me. Now get out.”
I stared at him for a long moment before standing and stalking from the room.