To Love a King (Court of Annwyn) (19 page)

The castle was like nothing she’d ever seen. Cold and silvery, it was made out of trees. Because there wasn’t a leaf to be seen, there was also no roof. Snow carpeted the ground, footprints the only reminder that people actually lived here—that she would be living here.

In front of her, Dylis moved cautiously, as if expecting an attack. Human-shaped shadows drifted past, but they didn’t worry Dylis, so Jacqui kept going, too scared to speak in case she drew attention to herself. They walked down corridors formed by trunks and arching branches. Gems gleamed in the bark. She wanted to stop and look, but now wasn’t the time.

“There’s no one here. Felan said to wait in the chamber,” Dylis said.

Jacqui nodded. She didn’t know where else they could wait. She was here. Felan could say she was his and claim the throne, and it would be over. Everyone could get back to living instead of dying. She could find a new way to live, one where she didn’t have to pretend that she didn’t see fairies.

They slid through the castle to a cavernous room that twinkled and chimed with every breeze. Mirrors hung from branches and larger ones seemed to be part of the trees. Dylis stopped and looked into one.

For a moment Jacqui saw only Dylis’s reflection; then it shimmered and shifted and she saw Verden. He was lying on the outside table at the house she’d just left with his shirt off. Lydia and Caspian were both there, and there seemed to be a lot of cloths stained blue with blood. Was it her imagination or did his skin seem more ashen? Lydia and Caspian appeared to be arguing about a knife. Then Caspian held Verden down and Lydia slashed one of Verden’s wounds with a knife. Jacqui looked away.

“They’re getting the iron out of the wound. Must be a broken nail in there. If they don’t get it out, he will die. Felan needs to hurry up and take over.” Dylis watched for a moment longer, then let the image dissolve.

“Is this where Felan would watch me in the mirror?” Her voice echoed, too loud in the silent castle.

“This is the Hall of Mirrors, where we can watch anyone as long as we have seen them in the flesh. Some mirrors are more specific.” Dylis lifted her head as if hearing a noise, then turned.

Jacqui spun. Felan stood at the other end of the Hall of Mirrors, looking every inch the Prince in black with gold trim. He also looked tired and hurt. She knew it wasn’t a physical wound. His mother was dead.

His lips turned up at the corners as if he was attempting to smile for her benefit, but he failed. “You made it.”

“Of course I did.” Now wasn’t the time to mention the attack or Verden’s brush with iron poisoning.

He walked toward her, his boots crunching on the snow. She threw herself into his arms. She had never been so glad to see him. All the waiting, the worry, and now she was here. He was here and they were together. He kissed her cheek, his lips cool, and released her.

“Come, I need to present you to my father and the Court.” He took her hand and again she followed.

Her stomach flip-flopped at the idea of being presented. Surely it was a formality. “Then you can claim the throne and everything will be okay?”

“It’s not going to be that simple.”

Behind her, Dylis muttered something about Sulia and the Queen that Felan also chose to ignore. She gave his hand a squeeze, but he didn’t look at her. His gaze was straight ahead, as if he were already thinking of the things he needed to do. After another set of twisting corridors, Jacqui was sure she was lost and would never find her way out again. Then it opened up into a room that could only be the Hall of Judgment.

A gaunt young man sat on a throne. It took a moment for it to register that she was looking at the King. It was the clothing that gave it away. While he looked youthful and the halo of beauty was there, he also seemed fragile, as if just sitting and breathing was costing him energy.

“Is it done?” The King leaned forward a fraction.

“It is.” Felan nodded, his gaze on the floor instead of straight ahead.

The King leaned back and closed his eyes. “Then take the crown and finish this, so I can rest.”

“The bell will ring soon…I expect Sulia to declare.”

Declare what? But the fairies gave no hint—they all knew what they were talking about and she was still the outsider.

The King nodded slightly. “Then do you gamble on that assumption and declare first, or do you let her strike first?”

The huge chamber was silent. Jacqui watched snow land on the King. How long would he sit there before the snow covered him entirely? She glanced at Felan, but he was equally as still. Even Dylis was silent.

That was when she realized they were talking about war. Felan expected Sulia to declare war. After all this, she still wasn’t safe and Felan’s rule wasn’t secure. Her heart beat too loudly and seemed to echo around the chamber.

“I will declare first. Annwyn is sealed. Both consorts are here. There will be only one battle.”

“Good. That was my mistake with my brother. We let it spill into the mortal world, killing each other’s lovers in the fight to be King.” The King opened his eyes and looked at Jacqui. “Bring her forward.”

Jacqui swallowed and hoped she didn’t look as nervous as she felt. Sweat on her palms was making her grip on Felan’s hand slick. He had enough to deal with without worrying that she was going to freak out. She had to keep the panic on the inside. That little part of her that was running around, flapping her arms and pinching herself, needed to be shut down. But maybe that was a normal human reaction to being in Annwyn and greeting the King.

Should she curtsy or bow or something?

Felan stepped up onto the dais and she had to follow. She settled for bowing her head and hoping he didn’t think she was rude and unworthy.

The King looked her up and down. “You know what you are giving up and what you are gaining?”

She nodded, glad that she could answer honestly, yet wondering what would’ve happened if she’d said no.

“I hope you have chosen well, Son.”

A bell began chiming.

“My last time presiding over a meeting. I should stand.”

“Are you sure, Father?” Felan went to help the King up.

Jacqui’s heart broke a little for him. He’d lost his mother and now he was losing his father. Jacqui doubted the King would live much longer. She could almost see him fading away every time he spoke.

“What a touching scene.”

Jacqui turned. A woman in black and red with an obvious pregnant stomach walked through the doorway. The man who’d attacked Jacqui at the airport was at the woman’s side—Sulia and Stuart.

Stuart grinned at her and took another step forward. “How nice to see you again, Jacqui. I’m so glad you will get a chance to see Annwyn before we get to judge your soul.”

It took a moment for the death threat to sink in.

Dylis planted herself between the dais and Sulia. She may not be the Hunter, but she had no intention of letting anything happen. “If you take one more step toward the Crown Prince’s chosen consort, I will have no choice but to attack.”

“I will banish you along with the rest of his supporters,” Sulia hissed.

“Then you will have very few fairies left at Court,” said the King. He leaned on Felan’s arm before being offered a walking stick. His lip curled, as if he hated this weakness, and yet it was clear he had nothing left. He stood still as more fairies filled the room.

All those pale eyes and pretty faces were on her. She felt plain and scruffy. Her clothing was dirty and smeared with blue blood after the attack. She was sure they were all noticing and judging her. After all, that’s what this place was for. Was she unworthy? Did they not like her already after a quick glance?

The bundle of knots in her stomach tightened. Felan had been so sure he’d win, but she realized they could both die today. She didn’t want to die. Her hand slid to her stomach, a move that was followed by many sets of eyes. She was under the microscope and she didn’t like it. She just wanted this to be over, and for Sulia and smug Stuart to be gone.

The King waited for the murmurs to settle. “My wife is dead. I can no longer rule.” He took the crown off his head. “My successor is Felan ap Gwyn ap Nudd ap Beli. He is here with consort and heir; however, Sulia merch Edern challenges my son’s right to claim the throne.” He paused as if gathering his strength. “Bring your consort forward so we may see him, Sulia.”

Sulia and Stuart stepped onto the dais looking like they already ruled Annwyn and like this was just a formality.
Oh, please let it be a formality before Felan was declared King.
However, they both wore supercilious expressions, and she knew that Sulia would do whatever it took to claim the throne.

“You both have consorts and you both have heirs. You both have the right to claim the throne. I command you, Court, think hard about who you want to rule. Felan, Sulia, think hard about what a declaration of war would mean both for Annwyn and the mortal world. This can be resolved today if one of you concedes.” The King tapped the walking stick on the dais and scanned the crowd of dark-clad, grim-looking fairies. After a few moments of silence, he turned to Felan. “What have you to say?”

“I am the rightful heir to the throne of Annwyn.” Felan paused and looked at Sulia. “My father supports my succession, as does the Lady of the Hunt, so I would like to extend Sulia this one opportunity to back down from her quest to rule. Should she accept my generous offer, there will be no repercussions.”

Jacqui’s heart bounced against her ribs. She’d never heard him speak so formally or with so much power behind his words. This was him in full fairy Prince mode. It was kind of exciting to see him truly for the first time. But she’d thought he was going to declare war first. What was he doing?

Sulia laughed. “Step down, and I will let your lover live if you jump in the river.”

Nice.
She was a bit too much like the popular bitch at school, having to cut everyone down to stay at the top, only Sulia took cutting down literally. The little bit of panic grew bigger, but instead of running around, it was sitting in a corner and trying to hide, praying this whole situation would go away.

“Never. Hunter, step forward,” Felan said.

Taryn stood in front of the dais with Dylis. She looked grim. Did she know about Verden? If she were in Taryn’s place, she’d want to get through the doorway and to his side. But no one was leaving Annwyn until this was settled. Not her, not Taryn. They were all stuck here like a big deadly game of
Survivor
Annwyn
.

Getting voted off the island meant death.

Felan took a moment to look at her, then the gathered fairies. “I declare war. Hunter, set the battleground. Set the rules. This will be decided at dawn.”

“I didn’t think you had it in you, Felan.” Sulia tilted her head. “However, I won’t be fighting in my condition.”

Taryn’s face lit up in a smile. “Actually, according to the law, both the challengers must fight. No fairy may harm a human consort. No iron and no other poison is allowed on blade. All the weapons will be checked by me and my assistant.” Taryn indicated Dylis. “The winner takes the throne and the loser, if they survive, is taken to the river. Do you both agree?”

Felan nodded. “I agree.”

Sulia lifted her chin. “Very well. I agree.”

But Jacqui saw a chink in her composure. Was Sulia worried that Felan might win this? That doubt made hope swell. Felan must believe he could win. She had to believe in him, even if she didn’t know all the rules and regulations. For the moment, all she had to do was follow along and stay safe. That fairies were forbidden from harming her eased the tension, but not by much. There was still a battle to win.

Taryn took the crown from the King. “Until the battle is fought, none may wear the crown or sit on the throne. If you attack me or my assistant, you forfeit all rights you have in Annwyn.” She looked at Sulia specifically. “Each contender may choose nineteen warriors to stand with them. Choose wisely. I have ribbons to mark those who fight. Everyone else may watch from the sidelines. Felan, as the son of the King and natural successor, I give you the royal purple in its summer shade.” She held twenty bright purple ribbons to him.

Felan accepted them and stepped back, handing them to Jacqui. They were cool and silky between her fingers. Like it or not, she was a part of this. But protected. No fairy could harm her—unless Felan lost. She hoped he had some good fighters on his side.

Taryn held up another set of ribbons. “I wasn’t sure what color to give you, and yet I had to choose something appropriate. Something that wouldn’t get lost in the snow and blood of the battle. I chose yellow.”

She offered them to Sulia, but Sulia hesitated. “Why yellow?”

“Because I want you to think of the summer you have denied Annwyn with your challenge.”

“Bitch,” Sulia snarled.

Taryn narrowed her eyes. “Hunter to you.” She thrust the ribbons at Sulia, then addressed the crowd once more. “Gather your warriors and arms, and present them at the table stationed in the center of the field at dawn.” Taryn and Dylis turned and walked out of the hall.

In that moment, Jacqui knew exactly who the next Hunter of Annwyn would be. That was the deal. That was why Dylis was fighting so hard for Felan. Had that been negotiated before or after they’d slept together?

***

Felan watched the fairies for a moment. He already knew who he was going to select. As his supporters gathered around him, he took ribbons from Jacqui and handed them out. Isaac, the changeling, who had been a soldier across the veil. Bram, of course. He wished he could chose Dylis, but Taryn was allowed to choose an assistant for the battle, and it was better one of his most loyal was not fighting.

Most volunteered their sword, but he had to turn some away. He needed those he could trust with his back in battle, those who knew how to fight. Most got very little practice except for at the funeral games. He nodded as people murmured their support, and Jacqui smiled as though she was happy to be here. Fairies bowed to her and expressed congratulations as if their child was a sure thing. He hoped it was, and that the cup had worked its magic. Then Jacqui was holding the last ribbon. His.