Chapter 10
MAX
“Let me pass.”
The guards have their spears crossed, forbidding me from leaving the castle grounds.
After giving Aoife the book, we were ushered away.
All day I spent in my designated room—staring at walls covered in gold, with precious gems molded into the bed frame, along pictures and at the corners covered in cobwebs.
It was sickening how much wealth hung in the room just to be seen by my eyes only.
Was the Woodland Kingdom so rich that it has gems to spare?
My gown swings in the air with my frustrations.
I was forced to endure waxes and baths, perfumed until I smelled like a citrus drop in the middle of the forest. Then, put into this heavy dress—sickening yellow, with white lace and delicate fir leaves sown into the skirt, though there are no parties to attend.
I was told to wait. In my rooms, alone. Wait for what? I can’t wait.
Outside the walls, I see the Hadeon sitting in the shadows. If he’s there, Kaden is nearby. He might have tried to kill me, or rather the cursed beast did, but I need to see him. Make sure he’s healed.
The bond in my heart tells me he’s not going to last. Without Aoife’s help, I don’t know if he’ll survive.
My father might think all we need is my blood and love, but I know I need the queen.
Unfortunately, there has been no word from her. Sitting in a room for a full day and a half has driven me mad with nervous energy. Is it taking that long to break the invisibility spell on the book?
And how is she able to touch it? Is she that powerful?
Glaring up into the guards’ faces, I try again. “Move.”
They don’t. They seem set on disobeying me. Granted, I did kill their friends—but they were keeping me from helping my mate. I make no apologies for it.
Instead, I let my magic rise, draining the color of my fingers, hoping it’s enough of a threat. “If you do not let me pass—”
“I wouldn’t do that,” Aoife calls from behind me. She appears randomly, when I least expect her. Where was she when I was cursing her name in my suites, stuck under someone’s hands who tried to waterboard me?
Further back in the court, surrounded by lush plants and spikey flowers, she stands regally. Dressed in a thick green gown of lace and white tulle, she looks every bit the queen she’s supposed to be.
Apparently heavy gowns are a thing here.
I suddenly miss the silken fabric and light dresses of the Shadowlands.
Biting my tongue, I drop my head. “Queen Aoife. I’m only trying to walk along the walls.” And to get out of this place that feels like a prison.
“And to see Kaden.” She waves the guards away and steps into the sun-drenched field.
Behind the walls, the grass is long and full of life.
It reflects the sun, and insects buzz along merrily.
“It’s dangerous to be near him right now.
The curse is almost solidified. Your king is not Fae—at least, not entirely. ”
She knows of the full moon. She know that Kaden is fading away, being stuck into the curse like his predecessors. If we don’t break it, he’ll become a full-on monster, stuck without hope.
Holding my skirt high into the air, I chase after her. “Did you have any luck breaking the invisibility spell?”
She cuts me a hard look and I stumble. “Fortunately, I was able to break the spell. It wasn’t easy, mind you. And I’ve been able to access the spells within.”
“And have you found anything?” Please Gods, say yes.
She silently walks toward the far back trees, closer to where my protector sits.
Once we’re near, he pushes through the brush and comes to my leg, nose bumping me.
His three heads don’t take their eyes off of Aoife and my hand finds the scruff of his neck, the coarse hair sawing into my skin. It’s a welcomed distraction.
“A Hadeon,” she murmurs. “A strong protector. Rare. Were you given him?”
“By Seti himself.”
She hums, eyes closing off. “They all have a task—whatever it might be, they will complete it.” She faces the sun, smiling slightly. “But whatever their task is, you will never deter them. Once complete, they will return to Seti. They will never stay.”
Cryptic.
“How do I know their task or when it’s complete?”
Her cold green eyes narrow. “You don’t. But when the time comes, you will know.” Inspecting her nails, she continues, “But to answer your question, yes, I’ve found much. The way to break Kaden’s curse is listed clearly.”
Unimaginable relief rocks through me. I feel faint and exuberant joy all at once.
“What do we do? How can I—”
“Dark Queen,” she snaps. “It is not so simple.”
I could be tasked with ending the world, I would still do it.
We end in the middle of a small clearing. Lilies, as large as my fist, in a symphony of colors all sprout along the edges. This place is so serene compared to what is happening outside of here, how I feel on the inside.
“There are steps to saving Kaden.”
“I will complete them.”
She rolls her eyes, annoyed. “Yes, of course. First, you will need to collect items for a purification ritual,” she explains, twisting her skirts and twigs snap under her delicate feet.
“A horrible ordeal, I assure you. It is designed to strip everything away, leaving just your core bare to the world, and your eyes clear from all corruption. And if at your core, you truly do love Kaden, you may succeed.” She scoffs.
“This is only the first step. And many others have tried to be where you are—to save a Dark Fae royal. But none have prevailed.”
It doesn’t occur to me that I won’t survive. That I’ll fail.
It’s taken me time and obstacles, but I know, deep within my soul, under the bond and my fear, that I love Kaden.
Truly, fully, for who he is. If he stayed a beast forever, I would surely still love him.
I just can’t leave him to be—stuck without answers, stuck as a ravenous creature.
Stuck without control, forced to just exist.
I was like that, in the Blackwoods village. Stuck, trapped, hated. I won’t allow him to suffer the same.
“I accept. What do we need to do?”
She runs her tongue over her teeth. “You’ll need to gather the ingredients.
They’re not easily accessible.” Pointing to the mountain further away, hidden under dense fog, she continues, “The black roses that line the mountain’s edge are a key ingredient.
You will need to grab three—one for the petals, one for the pollen, and one left whole. Each serve a purpose.”
My mind is already thinking of what to do. Baris might be helpful in this since it steps from his homeland. He won’t be happy to learn I was right—that there is more to than my blood and love. “Such as?”
Aoife tries to pet the Hellhound and he blows a smoke ring at her fingers, singing her flesh. She doesn’t react to the burns.
“Once you get the roses, you’ll need to eat the petals. Each one will strip a layer away.” She waves her hand into the air. “The pollen will be for Kaden if you are able to make it that far.” She blows on her fingers but doesn’t seem to mind the smell.
“And the final rose?”
Aoife shrugs. “The final rose is to be kept and used in the final potion. That mixed with your purified blood, and hopefully your love, it will break the curse.”
Exhaling, I fist my hands and nod. So, my love and blood are needed, but there is more. All of this is to help Kaden. I have not a full day until the moon rises high above us.
I can do this. “I’m ready.”
Aoife regards me closely. “You must understand. A barrier surrounds the mountain. No one can get those roses.”
No one has a Fairy prince as a father. “I’ve heard worse.” I shrug. “I can leave right away.”
Turning back to the palace, she leaves me to follow.
Grabbing my skirt, I take off, tripping over small rocks.
“This is hopeless. You think you are the only woman who fell in love with a beast.” She narrows her eyes.
“You think you are the only one who has tried to break a barrier enacted centuries ago? You are not special, Dark Queen. People have died for love. You will also. It is hopeless.”
Skirting to cut the queen off, I look up into her cold eyes.
“It is not hopeless because I continue to have hope in my heart. Hope that I will free Kaden from his curse and hope that I will survive. And if that is silly, then, so be it. But I intend to save my mate and walk out of this kingdom, back to our home, to defend our people. Together.”
“You think highly of yourself.” She sneers. “And of your love.”
“Because it’s true.” I cross my arms, heart beating wildly.
“I loved him when he was monstrous, as he loved me. And I will continue to love him—no matter how he looks. He is my mate, my anchor in this world, the reason that I am here,” I say, emphasizing with a stomp to the ground.
“He is the reason my heart beats, the reason I am in control of my magic. He has given me so much, even with his darkness, that I can offer this small sacrifice. I will not abandon him to a curse that was given to him for any reason other than birth order.”
Sniffing slightly, the queen pushes past me. I know I haven’t won her over—in fact, I think she’s only tolerating me.
“You still care,” she mutters, turning toward the entrance. “About this world, about this life. Your heart still cares too much for a world that would abandon you if it needed.”
“I believe that makes me mortal,” I reply slowly. “Caring about the world, about the people we love, is the only reason this world has not succumbed to the darkness that threatens to take it.”
Aoife nods. “Perhaps. But you are young.” She scans me, frowning.
“You will learn. The world is an awful place, especially for women, especially for those who love, and caring about anyone or anything doesn’t change the world.
” She glances to the sky. “It will still take everything from you and leave you to rot.”
“I don’t believe that. I think we can change it. With enough compassion. Enough understanding. Maybe even love.”
Caring for Kaden is the only reason I’m willing to try—to fight Griffin, to break the curse over the world. To try everything to get my mate back. My compassion is the only reason this is working.
The queen sighs, as if arguing with a child. “It will change nothing. Eventually, you’ll see that.”
She stops short of the castle. “You will travel to the mountain. If you can access the roses, we can continue.” She clasps her hands. “I doubt you will.”
How can she be so cold—isn’t Kaden someone important to her?
“I don’t need to remind you of the time constraints.” Aoife points to the sun, and squints. “You don’t have much time.” She almost sounds giddy.
Does she want me to fail?
“I’m aware,” I snap, pushing past her.
She’s not worth my time—I have a mate to save.
Shoving items into my bag, Reid holds more weapons as my chamber door opens with a loud creak. Mal, dressed in brown riding leathers, waves a saddle in his hands.
“You’re coming?”
He scoffs. “Who else would help you?”
He’s not wrong. Since my talk with Aoife, servants have ignored me and guards have given me the death glare. If not for Reid, I wouldn’t have eaten; he was able to charm a few kitchen servants for bread and cheese.
Gesturing to the paper on his hip, I ask, “What’s that?”
“Information.” He throws the saddle on to the bag and helps Reid shove more blades into the bag.
They begin to fight over straps, closing the bulging bag.
“Our spies are still reporting on Griffin at Kaden’s insistence.
He’s not been quiet. He knows what happened at the Black Palace.
” Those grassy eyes turn heated. “He’s turning his attention to Fee.
He thinks she’s an easy target, sitting on a throne not hers, with a limited force. ”
Reid snort. “We should really let him test that theory. Fee will have his head on a stick come morning.”
Taking the paper, I scan the notes briefly and my stomach drops. He thinks Fee, alone and a female, is easy to subdue. The king has never been quiet in how he views women. He hopes to reach her before Kaden can return.
Fee can handle him. But I don’t feel comfortable leaving her to fight a battle I’m meant to end.
The time to enact this—to save Kaden grows smaller. And with it, my nerves grow taunt.
“She needs us,” I whisper.
Reid shakes his head. “Kaden needs us. Fee will manage until we get back. We have to keep focused.” He bumps his fist on my shoulder. “Save Kaden. Then the world.”
Holding up his own bag, Mal shakes it slightly. “And as your guide, I’ll make sure we get there in one peace. Accessing the roses? Another issue entirely.”
Clasping the cloak at my throat, I fix the gem and nod toward the door. “Perhaps. But I know someone who is well-versed in the mountain and how to access it. If we need to break the barrier, Baris should know how to do it.”
“Baris?”
“Where is he, anyway?” Mal asks, glancing around. “As your father, I assumed he’d be here.”
“He has his own secrets,” I mumble, leaving the bedroom. “And those secrets are going to help us save my mate.”