Mother, sister, or perhaps even a distant cousin. I hadn’t a clue. She was young, around my age. Her platinum hair was pulled back from her face, draped over her shoulder in a thick braid that glittered with little clear crystals. A few curls framed her angular face, grazing against her sharp jawline.
She wore a form fitting tunic as light as her eyes, and white leather boots that reached her knee’s. Fur lined those boots and the collar of her tunic, as though she expected to step into an icy tundra but was met with the humid air of the surrounding forest.
She was beautiful, in a way that all Fae were. Her eyes were a bit large, giving her that doe-eyed look, but there was a flash of intelligence in those glacier eyes. That flash told me she knew exactly who I was, and I briefly wondered what she might do with that information.
She wore one of those laurel wreath’s that you see in Roman movies, only it wasn’t golden and there weren’
I awoke to that annoying prodding sensation in my head. Like sticky sweet tendrils of darkness were trying to worm their way into my ears, into my brain and thoughts. They were moving slowly, these tendrils. Trying not to disturb me, trying to remain undetected.Whether it was the power of the High Lords running through my newly Fae body, or the fact that this Fae woman wasn’t as good as she thought, I wasn’t sure. All I knew was that I sensed those tendrils and knew who had put them there.This time she wouldn’t get away with it. I was no longer gasping for air like a fish on dry land, my energy completely depleted and eviscerated. This time, she would pay.The library of thoughts in my head, with endless books that contained my memories and thoughts, those tendrils were nearing closer and closer. I had no clue what to do, and even Micah had said there was practically no one willing to train me in Spirit. I highly doubted this obnoxious woman
Atlas had only been half an hour behind Aralia and Tamara when he first felt the jagged pangs of my fear pierce his head and heart. Neither of us knew if it were a side effect of being true-mates, but it had alerted Atlas in the middle of the night. Try as he might, he couldn’t feel my every emotion.He arrived at the boundary to the Water Court half an hour after Aralia and Tamara passed through carrying me in tow. They had at least a dozen warriors with them, men and women with fair skin and pale hair. They detained Atlas at the border, while waiting for Aralia and Tamara to show.Apparently, Aralia wasn’t a relative of Atlas at all. She was a ward, a child brought in by the ruling family. Her backstory was unknown, but she came into the family during her childhood, and had been raised in the Water Court. Atlas had learned a lot about Aralia, all of which peaked my jealousy in ways that had my head spinning.She was a ward of the family, but a high
“I’m going to kill them all.” He snarled in to my neck, which if anything, only added to the molten arousal pulsing between my legs.“I might just let you.” I mumbled, out of breath and near-shaking.We had come so close—and, I didn’t regret it. Not a single bit, in fact. If anything, I felt it was a long time coming. All of the anger and rage in the world couldn’t erase the pull of the bond and the tension that arose whenever we were together.Atlas tore himself from my arms reluctantly, his shoulders tense as he strolled over to the set of double doors across the room. I took the time to get myself together, wandering over to a frosty white vanity and closet. Inside the finely carved closet were absolutely stunning dresses. Laces of white and blue, shimmering gems that sparkled and looked like gem snowflakes. I ran my fingers over the shimmering fabrics with just a hint of envy in my veins.There weren&rsq
The ornate doors swung open, the stone-like material shimmering with a million colors. A rush of chilled airruffledmy hair, carrying the scent of snow, and sweet flowers.Iwasn’tsure what I had been expecting; a formal dinner, perhaps? Blue ball gowns andsnootyroyals?Iwasn’texpecting crystalized balls of ice that radiat
A few minutes later, Aralia approached, stiff necked and shimmering with incredible beauty. Her platinum hair was braided over her shoulder, crystals that mirrored flashes of pure snow were dotted in her hair. The form fitting dress she wore fluttered to the ground in waves of icy satin.The cold that clung to Aralia wasn’t like the blizzard the High Lady summoned. Aralia’s cold came from deep within, from whatever block of ice held her soul.“The High Lady wishes to speak with you, Atlas.” Aralia turned towards my true-mate, not sparing me a glance as she moved to place a hand on his shoulder.“Do not overstep, Aralia.” Was all Atlas said before leaning down to place his lips against my own. His voice was soft, and his eyes met mine for just a second. The kiss he gave me was frantic but passionate, meant to show everyone in this court that we were together. “I’ll be back shortly, kitten.”I nodded a b
“What’s up with Adelina?” I asked Atlas when we all but sprinted from the dining hall and back into the room I had first woken up in. “The kid knows way more than she lets on. Alette clearly tries to keep her quiet, but she’s determined to be heard.”Atlas had little grasp of where we were in the castle, but the posted guards were actually very kind and showed us the way.“I don’t know much more than you do.” Atlas admitted, sitting on the edge of the bed as he pulled off the leather boots he wore. “Adelina trusted me the moment I approached her. She already knew who I was, even though only the High Lady, Aralia, and Tamara were expecting me. Alette only trusts me because Adelina does.”“Isn’t that odd?” I mused, “That a teenager would follow the word of a kid? Do you think it’s some kind of Fae thing?”“I have no clue. I’ve thought the same t
“How are we supposed to sleep after that?” I grumbled, my face pressed against the hard planes of Atlas’s chest.We had been escorted back to our chambers—with a guard of twelve men. I wasn’t sure whether or not I should be insulted. Atlas and I could easily take more than twelve men, even if they were Fae.We had curled up in bed the moment we returned, plunging the room into darkness as we both recounted what had just happened.“She’s practically declaring war against Micah, based on Tamara’s word. If anything, I bet she stalked those Earth Court guards down. Probably went onto their territory to do it. Micah wouldn’t have sent guards into another Court to find us.” I frowned until my forehead ached, wracking my brain for an answer that made sense. When it finally hit me, I knew I had to be right.“I agree. I might not know Micah well, but he knows the damage a war would cause. He wouldn&
I tried not to marvel too much at what happened this morning, but a faint glow clung to me along with the thin sheen of sweat coating my body. Every time I thought about it, my stomach fluttered and I grew uncomfortably warm. We had half an hour to settle in each other’s arms, leaving heated touches and devouring one another with our lips.I took that time to realize my feelings towards Atlas had changed. We were growing closer, and forgiveness had completely slipped from my mind. What happened in the past, it could only hurt me if I allowed it. Mistakes are an inevitable curse in life, always harming those on the outside, but I wouldn’t let it hurt me anymore.We stayed in bed as long as we could before finally getting dressed for the day. While I slipped on a pair of tight-fitting pants, and a snug top cropped above my belly button, I told Atlas about the dream I had last night.“Normally, I’d be skeptical, but this place is unpredictab
One Year Later “You could be over here with your true mate and not sweating your ass off, but no—violence prevails.” I sighed dramatically, grabbing a grape, and plopping it into my mouth. Atlas was easily a hundred feet away, his skin porcelain and shimmering with sweat. I eyed the thick muscles that spanned his shoulders and back, running down the length of his thick arms. “Well, I guess the view isn’t that bad.” “Speak for yourself, I love a little violence to start off my day. Nothing gets the blood pumping like political intrigue, vigorous training or a good old-fashioned fight.” Nicki grinned manically, leaning against the thick truck of the tree she sat in front of. Her chestnut hair had lightened from spending the year in Liam’s court, beneath the blistering sun and thick humidity. It now held golden undertones that matched her tanned skin. The dress she wore was bound at the shoulders with golden pins and reminded me of the Greek goddesses taught in
I pulled Nicki into my arms, my heart swelling with the strength of my best-friend. I said nothing because Nicki needed no reassurance. She could see the flame that burned within her as well as everyone else; Nicki never once doubted her place in the world, or her own importance. Even on my darkest days, when Atlas’s rejection sapped the happiness from even the smallest of things, the undying confidence Nicki had in herself and the people she loved fueled me. Once Dustin appeared and dragged her away, I was able to catch up with Liam and see how things were going—and to get some elaboration on the previously mentioned assassination attempt. Atlas had kept his snarling to a minimum when Liam pulled me in for a bear hug, even if his eyes were hardened shards of granite afterwards. “Really, it was awful. Not even a whole-hearted attempt.” Liam shook his head, disappointment for the unskilled assassin. His lips twitched into a smirk, and the teasing note in his v
Three Months LaterMy stomach was twisted with nerves and excitement as I stood beneath the magically crafted arch of waterlilies and cherry blossoms Tyra herself had created. Atlas was at my side, his arm looped through mine as I leaned against him for support.We were initially skeptical about the pure white flowers, but the delicate aroma they emitted was well worth it. Clusters of tulips, orchids, and peonies were strewn throughout the courtyard, which had been completely remodeled for the grand ball I had been planning for months now.With Atlas by my side, I stood atop a long staircase looking down at the arduous work of countless fae, myself included. It was easy to forget about the sprawling crowd down below, watching us with interested and eager eyes.From the decorations to the guest list, I had full reigns of this project. Of course, I had a near endless supply of assistants at my side, all of which were introduced to me by Alette and Adelina.
Micah and Liam could only stay for a few short days, each one packed full of planning and introductions. Micah and Finn were helping Atlas and Liam, teaching them the differences between High Lord and Alpha—though they technically were both. We hadn’t figured out a way back to the human realm, but there was plenty here to keep us busy; for now. Our first day in the castle, Alette confided in me that during the last moments of battle, she had flung a gust of ice and rage at Aralia, sending her flying into a portal. I followed Alette through the castle, while Adelina rejoiced over the fact that Melia was alive and well, along with her five sisters. “There’s no way she would have survived it. Not when it hit her square in the chest like that.” Alette insisted, her eyes welded forwards as we wandered the maze-like halls of the castle. She knew where she was going without a fault, while I had become lost an hour ago. “I assumed she would end up here, in th
Nicki and Dustin had taken charge, helping the newly turned Fae that came through the wall. Every five minutes another blinding flash of light would appear, leaving spots that danced in our vision and more fae in our wake.My attention momentarily flickered over to Atlas, who was speaking with a group of warriors, some of which had passed through days ago. Duke stood at his side, silent but always watching. A flash of midnight hair and clothing darker than the night sky appeared from the western corridor. Ambrose, High Lord of the Night Court’s slender form appeared from around the corner.Ambrose was the only one to have improved in looks after the battle we had all endured. He had been thin before, a testament to the damage his sister had done on his body and court. His face had filled out since the battle ended; his slim frame now etched in lean muscle. He approached Atlas and Duke, nodding at the various warriors who bowed in his midst.“Oh, don&
We formed a line, with each of us walking in pairs of four.Most who chose not to pass through lingered, watching with eyes that bordered on curiosity and fear. It was that flicker of curiosity that gave me hope, because sooner or later they might feel the call of this place.There was a part of me that trembled with excitement, almost desperate to return to the vibrant colors and scents, and the rush of magic within every gust of wind and drop of water. I wanted to learn the secrets of this realm and explore the hidden corners of the court under Atlas’s rule, mastering the wild magic that fluttered in my chest.Another part of me, the small part that would always remain mortal, mourned the memories, and ghosts I was leaving behind.At the very back of the line were the warriors. A sea of metal headpieces and colorful armor stood out as fae from every court gathered. Those who fought to the death days ago, now walked side-by-side.There had b
Surprise and indecision rippled across countless werewolves faces as the word spread, and they finally began to understand the decision that lie ahead. I never enjoyed public speaking. Having the attention of so many eyes burning into my skin was unsettling, but I wasn’t alone. Along with the steadying presence of Atlas beside me, I had friends who had stood by me through all of this. Each of us had taken turns speaking, sharing our story and what we had come to learn. I told the crowd what I had done, merging the two realms together, separating them with a wall of pure magic. It was the only choice I had, the only thing that would have saved them both. The very connection that brought our realms together would have destroyed us both. It was Atlas who revealed the truth of the past, that werewolves were not from the human realm. A very small few of us had come here a long time ago, forgoing immortality for this new world. The only thin
Something rippled behind Liam, towards the center of the charred circle of earth.The scent of rain filled my nose, marred only by the slightest hint of blood. The fae and werewolves must have been busy, identifying and burning the dead. My heart threatened to sink for the families who had lost loved ones in the battle, but I couldn’t let myself drown in the emotion, forever stuck in the past. I needed to press forward.The ground crunched beneath my feet, and I stopped when Liam placed a hand on my shoulder. I tilted my head, watching closely as the sun crested the trees, hitting the spot where we all stood.It looked like a thin film that spanned west and east, far into the sky where it vanished within the fiery light of the sun. I marveled at how it shimmered, the colors rippling like shaky water. When its color rippled like that, it was near impossible to see through. There seemed to be nothing on the other side, just the rest of the park.&ldqu
I woke Atlas as the sun began streaming through the curtains, turning his platinum hair silver. His eyelids were pale blue, the dark circles beneath an even deeper shade.He shifted in his sleep, eyebrows furrowing as he felt my guilt. He really was exhausted.I tried to pry at the thick arms that were wound around my torso, pinning me to his chest. His plush lips moved as he mumbled, letting out a satisfied hum as he tightened his hold.The voices coming from the first floor of the house were growing louder. Tyra and Dustin were talking, heading through the kitchen and towards the stairs that would lead to Atlas and me.I smirked and pinched his bicep, “Tyra and Dustin are seconds away from knocking on this bedroom door. Either I can get you up, or they can.”A surprised yelp escaped my mouth when he rolled in bed, never once loosening his grip on me. My legs dangled uselessly as he stood from the bed, holding me against his chest.