Chapter Fifteen
“ I said red roses, not coral, not scarlet, not carmine, not cerise, and not cherry. Red!” The offending roses were promptly thrown out the window. “Now!”
“Yes, ma’am,” the servant cried, taking off running.
Another problem dared enter the room. The man carrying in the ice sculpture pulled up short when a swirling thundercloud of stress bore down on him.
“No, no, no. This is an elegant affair. Think swans, peacocks, and butterflies. Not dragons!” She sliced the rearing ice creature’s head off without blinking. “Take it away!”
Eadaoin made a harsh noise in her throat. “You’d think she was the one getting married.”
All I could do was nod in agreement, watching Aeris flit about the ballroom—making everything perfection, and tearing to shreds anything that wasn’t.
Everyone was excited when we announced we were getting married for the third time, but no one was as excited as Aeris. She immediately took over the wedding planning—finding little need for my input. I simply sat back and left her to it.
It was safer that way.
“Take note, Bradach.” I winked at him. “This is your future.”
His smile shone upon Aeris. He didn’t mind that at all.
The three of us walked the length of the ballroom, watching the wedding prep come together, but staying out of Aeris’s way.
“I never imagined anyone could love my lord so much, they’d marry him three times.” Bradach eyed me. “Are you certain you weren’t also struck by that love spell? Or is this more of your stunted sickness?”
“Quite certain, and no,” I returned, voice flat. “I love him. I want to marry him for real. A true ceremony where neither of us is being tricked, blackmailed, or plotting to kill the other.” I eyed him right back. “Bradach, can I ask you something?”
“Yes?”
“Why do you call Alisdair ‘my lord’ instead of ‘my brother’? Actually, why didn’t you tell me from the beginning that he was your brother?”
The ever-present, affable smile evaporated, shocking me so much that I came to a halt. Bradach didn’t.
“I lost the right to call him my brother a long time ago. When he needed his brother, I was... lost,” Bradach replied. “I will live with that shame for the rest of my days.” Then, he was gone. Bradach walked out the side door and didn’t come back.
Eadaoin whistled. “Complicated history there, and that’s the most I’ve ever heard him speak about it.”
“That was?”
She nodded. “For all Bradach’s joking, flirting, teasing, and tumbling—he’s the most closed-off man I’ve ever met. Even more so than Lord Lumenfell.”
Now that was a real shock.
“No one knows a thing about his life before Wind and Wild. The man is a vault of secrets.”
I fiddled with my bracelet, chewing my lip. Should I try to talk to Bradach? Tell him that Alisdair told me the truth about his history with Constance, and all that led him to where he is today? Would that make Bradach feel more comfortable doing the same?
“Where are the utensils?” Aeris squawked. “We will have a neat, civilized wedding feast tonight, or none of you will eat!”
Sighing, I let it go. That wasn’t my place. Alisdair opened up to the woman he loved and trusted. When Bradach was ready, he would do the same.
“I can’t believe the ball is tonight.” Eadaoin jumped up and down, clapping and squealing. “We’ve never had a ball here, Lady Ana. Never. I’m so excited to wear a beautiful, flowing gown and spend all night dancing with Keefe.
“You really have brought hope back to these lands again.”
I followed her gaze out the window. The snow had been melting all week. That morning, I put on my shawl and had my coat sent back to the wardrobe. It was too hot for it.
I didn’t know what to think seeing the melting snow. There’d been celebrations in the village every day and every night—rejoicing the coming end of the beast curse, and my alnihaya. But how had we lifted the beast curse? Assuming it was even something Alisdair and I did.
I still didn’t know how the curse came to be, or where his heart was. Due to the silence that ensnared every cursed tongue, that was no surprise, but it did make me wonder. Did Alisdair do what Meallan claimed? Did he rescue his heart from its hiding place, and begin the process of destroying it, so that he could love me fully? Was that his choice—to reign as a strong, all-powerful beast, or love as a regular man?
And he chose me.
The doors opened and I turned—the smile already on my lips. I didn’t have to see to know it was my Alisdair.
He walked inside wearing loose linen breeches, and a shirt unbuttoned to the waist. My heart picked up speed soaking him in. He was all mine. No matter how many times I told myself that, pinching myself barely made me believe it.
“It’s coming together nicely.” He came over and dropped a kiss on my forehead. “ Aeris . I’m certain I have you to thank,” he told the servant.
I sniffed. “Only because she’s been barking and screeching over me all morning. I did not ask or approve of any of this, Alisdair. Send it away!”
“I quite like it,” he mused, voice calm and relaxed. “Elegant, but understated. It pleases me, and it makes me want to carry you into an empty room and spend all night pleasing you.” The corner of his mouth curled up and it did funny things to my insides. “Still want me to have it taken down?”
“Well, I... It’s of no surprise to me that you have horrible taste just like that bird woman, but she did get one thing right. As long as everyone eats like civilized fae tonight, I guess it can stay,” Emiana said grudgingly.
“Are you ready?” He flicked over my shoulder. “Eadaoin is supposed to whisk you away for a day of pampering.”
Emiana disappeared, throwing me back at the reins. Relief flooded me. That was only a short episode, and thankfully Alisdair defused her before she could destroy the wedding of my dreams—again.
She’d been inserting herself all week—overriding my decisions, pissing off my helpers, degrading my friends, and all around making everyone wish I cracked my jaw falling down the stairs that day. I finally had to write a list of everything I wanted, hand it to Aeris, and tell her to ignore me if I told her to do anything in contradiction.
I had to make those kinds of strange declarations more and more, because Emiana was taking me over more and more. The only way to stop it was for Alisdair to declare his love to Cliona? Etain? Bedelia?
Fuck’s sake! What is my name!
“Lady Ana, let’s go.” Eadaoin tugged me away. Alisdair and I barely had time to kiss goodbye before our lips were pulled apart. “First, you’ll have a long, hot soaking bath in the finest bath oils in all of Elva. Then, we’ll do your hair and nails. And finally, your dress will grace your body. Ah!” she cried, making me jump. “You’re going to swoon when you see it. It’s the most gorgeous thing in creation. I swear I wept.”
Eadaoin whisked me away. As excited as she was for me to enjoy a day of pampering, she almost shed out all her fur when I insisted that she join me.
I offered the invitation to Aeris too, but she gave me an exasperated look, said she had too much to do to be lying around in a bath all day, and if I was late for the ceremony, she’d come and fish me out of my oversized, oily soup pot herself.
Sometimes I wondered which of us was the queen of Wind and Wild.
Despite her rejection, Eadaoin and I had a great time soaking, not only because halfway through the bath Bradach returned—his normal, affable self—and joined us, taking the place of his lover.
I had long since given up on keeping this man away from my bathroom. Especially since he was smart enough to bring glasses of spiced mulled wine, so my usual order to get out faded at the sight of them.
Bradach jumped in—splashing us both. “Ahh, lady and my lady, forgive me for my abrupt exit earlier, I had to put the finishing touches on your wedding gift.”
My brows shot up. “Wedding gift? I get gifts?”
“Of course.” Eadaoin bumped my shoulder. “Just like you got tributes when the people accepted you as queen. Your wedding tributes will be even better.”
“Wait, no,” I said, rising up. “The people of Wind and Wild already have so little. I felt guilty enough when they gave me the food off their tables. Please, spread the word that I don’t need wedding tributes.”
“Of course, Lady Ana,” Bradach said, bowing as deep as the water allowed him. “We will be doing no such thing.”
I nodded until the rest of the sentence penetrated. “What, why?”
“It’d be a terrible insult,” Eadaoin hissed. “These are our customs. The tributes are the people’s way of saying they accept you and your marriage—well, third marriage to our lord. Rejecting their tributes says you piss on their acceptance.”
I sighed. “Okay, okay. I wouldn’t want to offend anyone, but dare I ask, what is your gift to me, Bradach?”
“It is a manual on different sex positions and acts,” he dropped. “You have to perform your wifely duties tonight, and you still blush at a man’s naked body. Figured it wouldn’t hurt to brush you up on your sexual education. If nothing else, the illustrations I drew in that book will banish the remains of that wide-eyed innocence right out of you. You’re welcome.”
“Hmm. How about I save us both a lot of time, and piss on that right now!”
Eadaoin and Bradach burst out laughing. I shook my head at the both of them. It didn’t surprise me Bradach would give me such a gift. What surprised me is that Eadaoin didn’t think of it herself. The kingdom of Wind and Wild was truly nothing like the borrowed memories of the Crystal Palace.
Wind and Wild was as harsh, brutal, cold, and unforgiving as its name, and still Alisdair was able to create a small community of happy, hardworking people—all of them as different as the day is long—but all of them working, living, and loving together while they patiently wait for the snow to melt.
“Do you think it’s really happening?” I broke in, cutting off their teasing of me. “The curse is lifting?”
Bradach’s grin faded. “I don’t know.” His jaw worked, but nothing came out. “We still can’t talk about it, so as excited as everyone is, they haven’t gotten their wish yet.”
That was true. The curse was still abound on the furry faces, beaked noses, and tails trailing out of passing pants. Curse lifting and curse lifted were not the same things.
“Is it everyone’s wish?” I asked. “Could there be others like Meallan and his wolf tribe who would want the curse to stay?”
“No.”
“Absolutely not.”
Eadaoin and Bradach weren’t slow with their denials.
“We believe the formerly bound women will still keep their magic after the change disappears,” Bradach said, “so there’s no reason for anyone not to want this. Only Meallan thinks he needs to be a wolf to be a king.”
I frowned.
“What’s wrong, my lady?” Eadaoin asked. “Are you worried someone will try to kill you? We’ve doubled your security, and I promise, I will never leave your side.”
“No, no, no, that’s not it. It’s just... something doesn’t make sense.” Once I finally voiced it, the uncertainty settled in my bones. “About the beast curse, about the melting snow, about all of it.
“Bradach, I know you don’t like to talk about this, but you were there before Wind and Wild. Before everything. Do you know the origin of the beast curse?”
He peered at me through hooded eyes. “You know I cannot say, my lady.”
“Can you also not say how to break it?”
“I cannot.”
“But you do know how.” I put my hand under his chin, drawing it up without touching him. We stared into each other’s eyes. “Don’t you?”
He didn’t speak, and he didn’t have to. I knew the answer.
Yes.
“There’s more to all of this, isn’t there? More to the curse, more to Wind and Wild, more to—” That rose in the tower.
“I cannot say, but I don’t need to. The ice melting is a good thing,” he said. “It’s what we’ve been waiting for. Soon, we’ll be free.”
“That’s good, but—”
My attendants walked in, loaded down with baskets holding face paints and all the tools made to transform the famed beauty of the east into a creature even lovelier.
“Are you ready, my lady?”
“Ready,” Emiana said, rising from the water. “I will allow you to attend me, but will endure nothing pink, red, or orange. You, bring me spiced cider, and you, send the bird man away.” I glared at the smirking beast. “Or I’ll have him flogged if he comes near me with another bucket!”
Bradach rose up. Winking at me, he bowed before leaving—taking all six feet of dripping wet, naked, and gorgeous with. It’s a shame he can’t mask those disgusting feathers and wings like his brother can. Shamer still that he’s so insolent. And more’s a shame on top that I couldn’t bed him without his brother’s marking revealing the affair.
I hummed, slipping into the robe they held out and claiming my seat before the vanity. There must be a way to rid myself of that mark, and these blasted marriage runes. Affairs aside, I can’t stay faithful to the beast king. As surprisingly great a lover he is, one day I will need daughters to continue my line—claiming the throne of the true high empress. I cannot have his filthy blood sullying them.
Sighing, I closed my eyes as they spread the tightening and shadow-reducing cream. I could confess to myself that I would rather go the route of removing the mark and finding a secret lover. Alisdair Shadowsoul was proving to be a kindred spirit and powerful ally. Everything that mattered had been stripped from me, and then he came along, promising to give it back and then some.
I did not want to kill him, so for his sake, he’d better free me from the marking scent, so I won’t have to.
Emiana faded from my mind, but she didn’t leave behind shock or horror. Honestly, it was a relief to finally know her true intentions. She was happy to go along with the wedding and all that came with it, because Alisdair was prepared to hand her the highest power in the land. Of course she didn’t love him, and of course she was willing to kill him. This was the same woman who wanted her father and all of his allies dead.
The only good news to come from that horrible train of thought was that she wouldn’t try to harm Alisdair until after she was crowned high empress, and after she decided she was ready to have kids. I had until then to remember my fucking name.
“Ladies,” I spoke up, ending their chatter. “Would you mind telling me all the female names you know?”
“Names? I’m not sure I understand,” Carlin replied.
“Never too early to start thinking baby names.” I patted my stomach. “I’d love some ideas, if you wouldn’t mind helping me.” Because maybe you’ll say the one that triggers my memory.
That set them off jumping up and down, squealing.
“Oh my Meya, yes! We’d love to help,” Carlin gushed. “What about Brona? That’s my mother’s name.”
“Oooh, so pretty,” I murmured, but felt nothing. No tingle of recognition.
“Evaleen?”
“Kiara?”
“Finella,” Eadaoin threw in.
They pelted me with names from all sides. Mine would come up eventually. I was sure of it. Meya knocked sense into my stubborn head, so I’d finally wake up and see the man she had meant for me all along. No one was going to take him from me.
Alisdair loved to speak of the little bird who belonged to him, and that was fine. Because every night I lay next to the beast who belonged to me.
“—life or death! I must speak with her now!”
“Let him through,” I heard Bradach bark from the other side of the door.
Riordan, the vegetable-seller burst in and slipped on the wet floor—crashing flat on his back.
I blinked at him, robes high. “What on earth is going on? Are you okay?”
“I’m fine!” He shoved up, huffing and puffing. “I’m sorry, my lady, I... I ran all the way here.”
“I assume it wasn’t to wish me well on my big day?”
“No, it’s—it’s terrible, my lady. Terrible, terrible news!” He surged at me and a blur shot into my path.
Riordan bounced off Eadaoin, nearly winding up on his back again. “That’s close enough.”
“Riordan, just calm down, and tell me what’s going on,” I said, rising up.
Riordan sought me over Eadaoin’s shoulder, face stricken. “My lady, it’s Aya Olene. She and Meliora have been arrested for treason. Some of the treasures I gave them had the Wind and Wild crest on them. They’re saying it’s proof of payment for espionage!
“Queen Ana, they’re to be executed tomorrow at daybreak!”
I clapped my hands over my mouth. “That’s horrible. You have to tell Treasa at once. She’ll know what to do.”
“What? My lady, I... I don’t understand.”
“Treasa,” I cried. “I can’t say too much, but she’ll know how to help.”
He didn’t move.
“Well, go on!” I flapped a hand. “Hurry. They don’t have much time, and if Treasa knows them, they’re vital to the kingdom.”
“But, it’s Aya Olene,” he repeated, giving me a strange look. “Olene, Meliora, Gisela, Jaclan, and Savia. You’ve done so much for them. More than anyone ever has. Aren’t you going to do something? Don’t you care?”
“Of course I care, but what can I do? I have no idea who these people are.” I returned to the vanity. “Treasa will. She’ll think of something, so hurry. Find her.”
“But, I—”
“You heard your queen.” Eadaoin grabbed his shoulder and dragged him out. “Go downstairs, find the steward, and she’ll help you find Treasa.”
“But, my lady!”
Eadaoin tossed him out on his ear.
I shook my head, holding my hand up for my nails to be painted. “Those poor people. Hope they’ll be okay.”
“You can’t worry about such horrible things right now, Lady Ana.” Eadaoin beamed at me. “This is your big day. Nothing but smiles. I order it.”
I laughed, bringing my smile right back. “You’re right. This is my perfect day. All that matters is me and Alisdair.”
“ARE YOU READY, QUEEN Ana?”
I stood before the ballroom doors, listening to the hearts beating. The one in my chest, and the one in my ear.
I didn’t know why I’d been hearing a disembodied heart. There were many chances for me to ask Alisdair about it, but it wasn’t as though he could tell me because of the curse. Lumenfell brought me as many mysteries as it did joy. But one mystery had been solved that day. Did Alisdair love me? Yes. Did he want eternity with me? Yes. And did his heart, in or out of his chest, beat for me?
I smiled listening to the slow, steady thrum. Yes.
“I’m ready.”
The guards swept the doors open, transporting me to paradise.
Starflowers drifted down from the ceiling, falling like snowflakes on the guests before disappearing just as magically. There were no chairs. Faeriken of all types and animals stood, crouched, and flew around the room—calling their love and congratulations. Not the silent, solemn affair of two great kingdoms watching a mistake, but the happy, joyous occasion of watching two people in love.
Tiny orblights strung together and wove around the rafters, chairs, and walls—twinkling like starlight. All at once, I was transported to that first night Alisdair ravaged me in the snow. I think even then I knew... that we were meant to end up here.
A sea of rose petals cradled my feet, guiding me down the path that led to my love, my Alisdair.
He was perfect, but of course he was. His long, curling hair hung loose and free. His ceremonial robes were similar to the ones he wore the day we married in Lyrica, but he looked nothing like he did on that day. Because on this one, he was smiling. No smirk or wicked grin. But a beaming, heart-breakingly beautiful smile that stopped my breath.
And his stopped in turn, when he saw me.
Eadaoin could’ve gushed the praises of my dress for an hour, and still wouldn’t have come close to how gorgeous it was.
The yellow, gossamer gown clung to every part of me, softer than a whisper and lovelier than a sunrise. A tight, beaded bodice glittered with onyx jewels, as stark and striking as the yellow-and-black spotted wings rising from my back.
I didn’t know for certain whose idea it was to turn me into a butterfly, but I wept to see myself in the mirror. Just like Eadaoin said I would.
It wasn’t that it was beautiful, or unique, or expensive. It wasn’t that the pattern of the delicate wings continued down my skirt, making it so I looked like I could take flight that very moment.
No, I cried because this dress was me . Emiana hated yellow, and she thought butterflies were no more than nasty bugs. It’s the true me who loved and would’ve chosen such a magnificent gown for her wedding day, if such a day had ever been possible for her in more than her daydreams.
As I walked, all the well-wishes and congratulations faded, their eyes widening to behold me. All except for one.
Aydan, the little fox boy, made faces at me as I walked past, mimicking the funny ones I made to him the many times we played. Laughing, I screwed up my face right back, sending him running away cackling.
I was giggling when I stepped up to the altar, and took his hand. Alisdair pulled me up and drew me close, snapping me to his chest. Swooping down, he captured my lips—exploding suns and stars behind my eyes as our tongues tangled, caught in their unending battle dance.
Breaking away, I laughed. “I’m pretty sure the kiss is supposed to come at the end, husband.”
“Rules only apply to those too weak to break them.” He kissed me bold and free—grinning against my lips. “That’s never been me, or you.”
Foalan, our officiant, cleared his throat—forcing me to step back, though I didn’t let go of his hands. “Let us begin. One and all, we are gathered here in these hallowed halls to witness the joining of Lord Alisdair Lumenfell, and his queen...” Foalan looked to Alisdair, who nodded.
“His queen,” Foalan continued, “Shoua Callidora of Lyrica.”
My smile froze.
“ Callidora... ”
“ Callidora, where are you, faywen? ”
“ Calli, come play! ”
“ Callidora, ha! Terrible name for such an ugly girl. ”
“Meya, we ask your blessings for this union.” Foalan brushed an oil-covered thumb across my spinning, drowning head, then did the same to Alisdair. “Lord Lumenfell, it is time,” he began. “Make your vows before the All Mother.”
“Wait...” I choked. “I—”
“Do you, Lord Lumenfell, vow to care for, honor, and obey Shoua Callidora?”
“I do.”
“Wha— What’s going on?” My voice was a thin rasp.
“ CALLIDORA! ”
“I don’t understand!”
“Do you, Lord Lumenfell, vow to give your title, your love, and your life to Shoua Callidora?”
“I vow to give you everything, Callidora, because I love you.”
My mind broke.
I clutched my head, screaming as two decades of a lifetime flooded my head. Little Calli playing peek-a-boo with Mama. Callidora and Meli singing while they hung the washing. Riordan knocking on Calli’s door, inviting her out to play kickball with him and his friends. Calli tickling Jaclan’s and Gisela’s feet under the covers, so their shrieking giggles covered the shouting fight Mama and Kirwan were having in the same room.
Callidora saying goodbye to her faywens outside her home, promising she’d come back.
No, not she. Me. It’s me!
One after the other, the memories crammed into my skull—splitting it apart. Darkness bled into my vision, dragging me to a peaceful, painless realm of unconsciousness as all the while...
I screamed.
“—DORA? ARE YOU ALRIGHT ?”
“Everyone, out! There won’t be a wedding here today.”
Those words drilled into my skull, peeling my eyes open. A blurred shape came into view.
“Wake up.” Alisdair leaned over me, holding me in his arms. He brushed the hair from my forehead. “You don’t have much time.”
“What’s... going—?”
“ It’s Aya Olene. She and Meliora have been arrested for treason. They’re to be executed tomorrow at daybreak! ”
I bolted upright. “Mama!”
“Good,” Alisdair said, “you already know what’s going on. Callidora, you don’t have much time.”
“Calli,” I blurted. It all came back to me. Every single second and every memory of my life, including the long months I spent losing it. “No one calls me Callidora. It’s old-fashioned and embarrassing. It never suited me. It means—”
“Beauty.” Alisdair grinned that grin, making my heart stop. “A name never suited anyone on this earth more.”
Even with everything going on, he could still make me blush. “But you can’t say that,” I cried, pushing him back. I looked around at the wedding that would never be as the last guests left through the main doors. “You don’t know what I truly look like. You don’t know so many things!”
“Don’t be ridiculous, woman. Of course, I know what you look like. Why do you think I got so angry when I found you snooping in the tower? You were about to tear the covers off the portraits of you. The real you.”
“What? How? Why!”
“Come on.” He helped me to my feet. “There’s a lot to say, and not much time to say it. Follow me. Don’t waste time with questions.”
“But I—”
Alisdair grasped my hand and took off. I hoisted up my skirts, fighting to keep up.
“I’ve known you weren’t the princess since you plunged a sword in my chest,” he announced, dropping my jaw. “I told you so in the carriage ride that first day. Every report on Emiana said she was a meek, wilting flower whenever her father’s disappointed gaze turned her way. But then suddenly, a tough, crass, violent, warrior of a woman was standing before me, promising to be the nightmare you became.”
“Hey!”
He chuckled. “I know of few things that can cause such a drastic personality change. A body-switching spell was top of the list.”
We bolted through the castle, going where I had no idea. I had to get to my mother, my sister, my family!
“But if you knew the whole time,” I huffed. “Why did you marry me? Why didn’t you let me go?”
“It’s not that simple. That fool girl didn’t have a fucking clue what she was doing when she decided a curse would solve all of her problems,” he growled. “If that’s what they did, they’d have another name.” We raced around a corner. “I’m amazed she even completed the curse without outright killing you both.”
“She practiced,” I recalled. “She tested it out on servants first, and killed them all.”
He cursed. “That doesn’t surprise me. It only sickens me that she kept going, and didn’t take it for the warning it was.” Alisdair shook his head. “But it was what it was. When I realized what curse took hold of you, I confess, my first thought was to toast my good fortune. You were the heir to Lyrica in anyone’s eyes. You were the key to my victory over Lyrica, and Salman’s head on a pike.”
That truth didn’t sting. Alisdair had told me as much when he made me his mate.
“That being the case, I had to protect you,” he said. “By making sure you couldn’t leave.”
“How did that protect me? I could’ve ended this horror so much sooner.” My heart twisted. “We could’ve been together in a true and honest way much sooner. Why did you do this?”
“We’re here.” Alisdair skidded to a stop before a door I didn’t recognize. Kicking it in, he tugged me over the threshold into a weapon room.
Weapons of all types, sizes, and lethality covered every inch of wall—from manmade to magic. An entire case to my right was filled with coudarian crystals.
“You’ll need this,” he said, taking down a bow and arrow.
“Alisdair?”
“I wish I had more time to teach you close combat. The bow seemed the right choice at the time, but now you need a weapon you can both handle and hide.” Alisdair crossed to a display loaded with daggers. “Oh well, we’ll have to make do.”
“Alisdair!” I shot to his side. “Why didn’t you free me sooner!”
He spun on me. “How was I to do that before we were in love with each other? I told you, it’s a curse, Calli. It leaves no one with any good choices.”
The hot ball of rage and betrayal burning in my chest shrunk, allowing me to breathe again. Of course, he couldn’t free me before he loved me. The imposter they shoved at him was a stranger in every way, and love took its own time. He was bound by the limits of the curse as much as I.
“All right, but why wouldn’t you let me leave?” I asked his back.
Alisdair was a whirlwind sweeping through the room, gathering every weapon I might need. “Because I knew what you would do. You’d go looking for Emiana to force her to break the curse, and that couldn’t happen.” A fist-size coudarian crystal thudded on the small table between us. “Crossing paths with yourself would’ve snapped your mind in half. No one could reconcile the contradiction of your mind being in your body, but your body isn’t your body, because your body is looking back at you.”
My mind spun simply trying to follow that sentence.
“I’ve lived a long life, my queen. Of the few I’ve witnessed who survived the spell, they spent the rest of their days in an asylum, because one or the other tracked the body thief down—and it was the last thing they ever did.”
Alisdair went to the door and stuck his head out. “Foalan! With me, now!”
“But that still doesn’t explain why you didn’t simply tell me all of this? Or how you knew I was Calli?”
“Everything I told you about yourself would’ve faded along with everything else when Emiana claimed you.” He finally stopped rushing about and came to me, grasping my shoulders. “And most importantly, I had to be careful with you. I’ve never known a soul to successfully break this curse with their mind, body, and soul still intact. Me continually telling you you’re Calli while your mind is shouting that you’re Emiana could’ve caused more harm than good.”
As angry as I wanted to be with him... what he said made sense. Curses didn’t play fair. Their sole purpose was to cause misery and pain, and they didn’t want to be lifted, or they wouldn’t silence our tongues when we tried.
“But you knew I was Calli,” I whispered, cupping his cheek. “Not any of a twenty million women, but Callidora. How?”
“It was rather easy to figure out when you looted my coffers and gave the spoils to that Riordan boy to give to your family.”
My brows popped, face heating. “You knew that I—?”
“Was stealing from me? Yes. Pretty much immediately.” He grinned lopsidedly. “A natural thief, you are not.”
Of all things, why did this embarrass me most of all?
“I ordered him to tell me who my jewels were going to, and then I had my spies track down Olene, Meliora, Jaclan, Gisela, and Savia.” He stroked my cheek, catching a stray tear. “I wasn’t surprised they were a family. I was even less surprised that they were missing their oldest daughter, Callidora, who walked into the Crystal Palace one day, and never came back.”
“Oh, Alisdair.” I fell against his chest, hugging him tight. “What am I going to do? Riordan said their execution is tomorrow. It takes a fortnight to get to Lyrica. I’ll never make it!”
“I will get you there on time, Calli, I promise.”
“Me?” I dropped my head back, gazing up at him. “Aren’t you coming with me?”
“I’m sorry.” He truly sounded it. “I can’t leave Lumenfell right now. Meallan is still out there—waiting.”
“Right, of course,” I sighed. “How could I forget about that bastard? I’ve been so happy the last few days, I almost convinced myself all was right in our world.”
“And I almost convinced myself Meya would bless us, but some fates she won’t change,” he said softly. “This wedding will end with you fleeing into the night, and me left with a hole in my chest.”
Tears flooded my lids, spilling fast and free down my cheek. “My love, I’m sorry. I never wanted—”
The door burst open. Foalan rushed in with Aeris on his heels. She held a pair of boots and a pretty, but comfortable shift dress.
“Get her dressed,” Foalan told Aeris. “I’ll get her ready.”
I was pulled away from Alisdair as they descended on me—stripping off my beautiful wedding gown, tugging the dress overhead, pulling on my boots, then strapping the myriad of weapons to every free spot on my person. I didn’t know what I’d be walking into in Lyrica, but they seemed to believe I’d have to fight my way out.
The second they were done, Aeris and Foalan pulled me right back out the door.
“There’s something you need to know,” Alisdair called after me. “The night I found you in the tower, I thought I was speaking to Emiana. When I saw her about to endanger the woman I love by revealing that portrait, I snapped.
“I said horrible things to you, but every word was for her.” His smile—so beautiful. So sad. “I never could’ve loved that spoiled brat. It’s you, Calli. It was always meant to be you.”
“I love you too,” I gasped, straining to keep pace. “I—”
A blast of cold air smacked me, turning my head around.
Bradach waited in the flower garden, standing next to my litter. He wasn’t alone. Seven other raven men and women stood by his side.
I realized immediately what they intended.
This is all happening so fast, I thought as Aeris lifted me onto the litter. But of course, it has to. I have to save Mama and Meli!
I twisted around, reaching for Alisdair. “What do I do? How do I save them? No one’s going to listen to me. No one ever listened to a Gutter girl from the Galley.”
“More the fool them.” He kissed my fingertips. “But you’re not a girl from the Galley, my love. You’re the queen of Wind and Wild.”
The bearers took their place, Bradach leading in front, and lifted the handles. They took off, jolting me flat on my back.
I twisted around as we took to the skies, shouting down at my Alisdair. “I love you! I’ll come back. I promise you!”
Alisdair waved, and walls shot up from the sides—enclosing me in against the cold.
“I promise, my beast, my king, my husband,” I whispered. “I’ll come back for you.”
brADACH AND THE RAVEN faeriken flew all night—not stopping to eat, rest, or make waste.
I prayed to Meya as the snow, clouds, and darkness vanished in the distance, and the sun returned.
Heat beat down on the litter, as blazing as the beaming sunlight penetrating the slats and dazzling my eyes. How was this the world I grew up in? I felt like a stranger embarking on a new land.
“The Crystal Palace,” Bradach bellowed, shouting over the thunderous hum of faeman-sized wings beating the air. “It’s there!”
I wanted to see but Alisdair didn’t make a window. All that mattered was that he could see it. We were close.
“Mama. Meli, I’m coming.”
Despite what Bradach said, we flew for ages more. The light coming through the slats grew duskier and dimmer. Reds, golds, and purples danced before my eyes when I peeked out—Meya’s final parting gift before day left us, and her moon and stars reigned.
“How much longer!”
“Almost there!”
I popped off my butt, thrown against the wood as Bradach and his brethren put on a burst of speed.
“What is that?”
“There!”
“Faeriken! It’s faeriken!”
“They’re attacking!”
Never did I think I’d be happy to hear those words. “Bradach,” I called. “I can’t see anything!”
Suddenly, the entire front wall of the litter blew off. I screamed, throwing myself back as the rush of wind and light blasted my sensitive eyes. Blinking rapidly, the Crystal Palace came into sharp view—as did all of Lyrica.
Little specks moved this way and that way on the streets, scurrying about their day. From high above, the stark difference between the royal residences and the Galley was impossible to miss. Trash rolled through broken cobblestone streets, falling off the piles stacked behind ramshackle huts, and homes that were old and falling apart from the day they were built.
We left behind my old home, flying straight over the marketplace and the shouting people below. Fruit and day-old vegetables took to the skies, pelting my litter and its bearers.
I gritted my teeth. “So much for the arranged marriage bringing peace and tolerance to the kingdoms.”
Bradach and the others didn’t let them slow them down. They went straight to the palace gates and carried me over, igniting fires under the feet of the palace guards.
“Back, beasts!” Soldiers flooded the courtyard, their swords aloft. Coudarian crystals embedded right on the hilts. “Leave this place or—”
A blast of wind blew them off their feet—sending them and their weapons scattering. Bradach, the others, and my litter touched down as they clambered up—filthy curses and violent promises pouring from their lips.
“That was your second mistake, beast,” hissed a tall, freckled soldier. He spat blood on the pavement. “Coming here was your first.
“Atta—!”
I jumped out. “Stand down! Everyone, stand down now! Weapons on the ground!”
“Excuse me?” Derisive laughter filled the courtyard. “Who do you think you are, bitch?”
I raised my head, glaring into his eyes. He jerked back so fast his feet tangled, and the stupid fool fell on his ass again. “Queen Emiana, Royal Highness of Wind and Wild, and former princess of Lyrica. That’s who the fuck I think I am.”
“P-princess? How—?”
“Silence!”
The boy about swallowed his tongue.
“I am a witness for Olene Waterrose and her daughter, Meliora. You’re to take me to them,” I barked. “The execution will not go ahead!”
“But, I can’t—”
Bradach flashed—moving so fast, he was on the soldier before his fallen feather touched the ground. “Is there cotton in your ears, boy?” he growled. Bradach’s dagger pressed to his quivering throat. “My queen has given you an order. The execution is canceled!”
“But, I can’t help you,” he cried, eyes bulging. “It’s too late. The sentence has been carried out. The execution is over.
“The traitors are dead.”