The Fate of Crowns: The Complete Trilogy: A YA Epic Fantasy Boxset Page 2

  I balled my fist when Florence grabbed the attention of the room by laughing too loudly again.

  It was only two weeks ago when everything had changed and she was inevitably pushed into our lives.

  It was a rare, sunny afternoon when I’d snuck into the council hall to listen to the trade deals my father and his council were trying to make with the dark fae. Hiding behind a wood panel at the top of a secret passageway, I listened as the council’s voices rose in an uproar. They were attempting to obtain more mugroot, which grew native to the Snowy Peaks in the fae’s kingdom. My father argued the price was twice what it should be and that they were exploiting them due to their dislike for sorcerers. Jasper and Amara, the ambassadors from the dark fae court, argued back. Accusations were thrown from both sides.

  I watched through a small crack in the wood when the doors burst open. André sauntered in with a twenty-something blonde in tow, who I’d later be introduced to as my future sister-in-law. They had met at the Academy of Sorcery, and he told everyone how she was his greatest love. I groaned. I was sure it wouldn’t last. It never did. Florence bounced behind him, all smiles and pearly white teeth, her eyes filled with hope. It wasn’t the first time he had brought a girl back to the castle, but it was the first time he had talked about marriage. André was easily distracted by beautiful things, and it was only a matter of time until the next pretty girl came along with a smart mouth, and Florence would be forgotten. At least, I had thought. Despite our objections, the wedding came fast. They were married within a week. I supposed it was a good thing for her. At least she had gotten a crown before his attention drifted elsewhere.

  A hearty chuckle from a man near my table pulled my attention back to the festivities. I’d missed that morning’s council meeting—and the one from yesterday—after spending my mornings in Morgana’s tower room. I only hoped I hadn’t missed anything of interest.

  “What are you thinking about?” Morgana asked. She looked out of place among the fashionably dressed ladies and suited men. Her loose-fitting purple dress was patterned with daisies.

  “Just remembering when I met Florence.”

  “She will never be queen,” Morgana whispered. “As the future currently is. It’s all I have seen. She ends up engaged to another.”

  “Marriage can’t be undone,” I stated. “Unless the king annuls it, which he would. André’s his golden boy.”

  Morgana smiled. “Now you know she won’t be in your family forever.”

  My lips curled upward. “At least today has had some good news.”

  “News you will keep to yourself.”

  I watched my brother charming Amara, who had come back to visit the court to talk about another trade deal. She twirled around, her bright-blue skirt billowing outward. Her black, flowing hair shone with scattered contrasting strands of white. Her high cheekbones and round, dark eyes made her irresistible to anyone around her, which was probably why the dark fae king, Azrael, had sent her along with Jasper to solidify deals. After all, who could resist the beauty of a faery?

  Morgana stood. “I’m going to get a drink. Would you like anything?”

  I shook my head, then watched her walk away. When she reached the drinks table, I caught a menacing grin from Jasper. He was pouring himself a drink and listening to the string quartet playing behind him.

  My heart raced. I averted my eyes from his penetrating stare. He was my brother’s best friend, which was unusual, as fae and sorcerers seldom mixed outside of discussing deals. Nonetheless, he and André were like two peas in a pod. They were both charming, charismatic, and had a way of magnetizing the people around them. They could pull on the unseen strings of everyone at court. I wasn’t ignorant to the power André held over the castle, including my parents. It was why I always stayed in his good graces. If I couldn’t get something I wanted, I could count on him to get it for me.

  I looked over at the table again. Jasper was still looking at me. My face reddened.

  A hand ruffled my hair. I flinched, then looked up. “André!” I rolled my eyes. “I didn’t see you coming.”

  He laughed, his pearly white teeth flashing when he did. “It seems you were busy staring over there.” He pointed at Jasper, who was now standing with his back to us. “Anything you want to tell me?”

  “Stop.” I warned. “I would never.”

  He grinned, then took a seat next to me. Placing his hands on his knees, he let out a long exhale. “You know, sister, you are allowed to have fun.”

  “So you keep telling me.”

  “You should take my advice.”

  “I’m not like you. People don’t like me.”

  He touched my cheek, and I couldn’t help but smile. “Then,” he said, “you should smile more.”

  “Mother says I will get lines.”

  “You know how she is.” He grabbed a couple of grapes which were lying on a platter in the middle of the table, and ate them. “Just nod and agree with what she says, then do what you want anyway.”

  “Like you ever have to agree with her. She’ll do anything you ask.”

  “Why are you so upset today? More than usual anyway.”

  I couldn’t tell him about the reading or what Morgana had said about the crown. I couldn’t put the pieces together, or maybe I could, but I didn’t want to. My stomach knotted as a sense of doom washed over me. “Nothing. Sorry, I’m just having a bad day.”

  He ran his hand through his tousled brown hair. The sword on his belt hit the side of my knee as he leaned into my ear. “It can’t get much better if father has called an announcement.”

  I nodded. “Yeah.”

  “Jasper knows what’s going on, I’m sure, but I haven’t got a chance to speak with him today.”

  I blushed, and scolded myself for my bodies reaction to his name. I was so, so stupid. André’s eyes glistened with knowing. “If you like Jasper, you should meet with him. I won’t tell and neither will he.”

  I scoffed. “He is just as bad as you.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” He feigned shock, but couldn’t hide his smirk.

  “You know what I mean.”

  “I’m married now.” He reminded me, as if I could ever forget. “I’m faithful to Florence.”

  “For now.” I raised my eyebrows at Morgana who was standing alone finishing her drink at the banquet table. “It never lasts long. Why couldn’t you pick Amara?”

  He glanced over to the beautiful faery. “You know father would never approve my marrying a fae. Even if I couldn’t care less.”

  I smiled. “One more thing you can change when you become king.”

  He lowered his voice to whisper. “You should be careful. If anyone heard you speaking that way… I don’t want you getting in trouble. I can’t take the throne until he dies and it’s treason to think of the king’s death.”

  “You suddenly care about the rules?”

  He shook his head. “I don’t want you to give our parents a reason to be harder on you than they already are.” He squeezed my shoulder. “It’s my job to look out for you, little sister.”

  I grinned.

  Glasses clinked, silencing the room. I turned my attention to the two thrones. “Here we go.” André whispered. “He looks happy. Something terrible must’ve happened.”

  I let out a half-snort, half-laugh, earning a look from my mother across the room.

  My father was smiling but not his usual public smile, where there was a slight curve to his lips with no crease below the eyes. No, this one was genuine. His eyes shined as his mouth rounded upward, balling his cheeks. The light from the chandelier waved through the silver hues of hair beneath his crown, set with rubies and emeralds. His deep voice rumbled. “Gathered dignitaries, friends, and”—he lifted his glass to Andrés and my direction—“family. I am delighted to announce a new, strong relationship today between fae and sorcerers. We will have unity between us for the first time in seven hundred years.”

  His words pulsa
ted through the room; no one had expected them. A buzz of anxiety hung over us. How had he managed the impossible?

  His voice grew louder with each beat, booming through the absolute silence. “Our alliance will be solidified through the betrothal of my daughter, Winter Mortis, and the crown fae prince, Blaise Lazarus.”

  Heads turned in my direction. Chatter rose, and unintelligible whispers surrounded me. Exhaling a shaky breath, I closed my eyes. My father’s discerning gaze was focused on me when I opened them again. He was waiting for my reaction, and in front of everyone who mattered to him, I knew what I needed to do. I forced a smile.

  André’s hand found mine. He squeezed my fingers, grounding me. “It’ll be fine. Just nod.” He whispered. “Stay calm. It’s okay.”

  My father turned his attention back to the room, and his voice faded out. My ears rang loudly as shock rooted me to the spot.

  “Marriage.” I spluttered. “I−”

  André looked over at the thrones, suspicion crowning his eyes. “I’m surprised too.”

  “What do I do?”

  “I’ll talk to them, but if his mind is set, you know there’s little chance to changing it.”

  I gulped. André was right. He wouldn’t go back on his word. He never did.

  Jasper looked at me from the other side of the hall. He had to have known, which must’ve been why they were visiting. I was the trade deal.

  TWO

  It is meant to be,” Morgana said calmly as she paced around my quarters. I balled my fists. “Is that all you have to say? He is marrying me off… to Blaise.”

  “You wanted purpose. This way, you will be queen. Besides, you’re fifteen. He won’t marry you just yet. You still have time.”

  “I don’t care!” I couldn’t hide the annoyance from my face. Here with Morgana, I didn’t have to worry about faking contentment. While I enjoyed being around the fae and didn’t share my people’s prejudices against them, but I didn’t want to marry one or be a part of Niferum, their kingdom beyond the mountains at the northern tip of Magaelor. “I hate to say this because you know I like them, but…” I whispered. “Everyone in Magaelor will look down on me. You know how they think about the fae. So does Father. He means to humiliate me.”

  She cast her eyes down to the sapphire on my staff. Only those in the Mortis family line had them on their ash wood staffs, carved from the trees of our ancestors. The precious gem was a show of royalty and superiority. “It is your duty.”

  I exhaled slowly, flexing my fingers as I did. “You’re right.” I slumped my shoulders. “I’m just…”

  “Afraid? No one would blame you. It will be a big adjustment at Lepidus,” she said, referring to the dark fae court.

  “I’m not afraid, just upset.”

  She gave me a look, then walked away. “I will see you tomorrow. Besides, you have a visitor.”

  She creaked open the wood door, revealing Jasper Bluelight. My lips parted. He brushed past Morgana, who hurried down the steps. “Your brother is a little angry at me.”

  I scoffed. “He’s not the only one.”

  His lips tightened into a hard line. “Can I come in?” He said, already closing the distance between us. “Do I have a choice?”

  He grinned. I couldn’t pull my gaze away from his. His blue eyes shone as bright as his energy, which made me want to follow him anywhere, but he was too close this time. He’d never been so brazen before as to sneak into my room. It was risky. Rumors were a dangerous thing for a princess, especially an engaged one.

  “Who was that?” He asked. “I haven’t seen her around before.”

  “The court seer,” I muttered, then placed my hands on my hips. “She doesn’t leave the tower much and you’re not here often.” I explained. “But forget that. You knew.” I scowled.

  “I know a lot of things.”

  Fae couldn’t lie, so in place, they’d mastered evading the truth.

  “You had to have known! That’s why André is mad at you.” The muscle in my jaw ticked. “You could have warned me.”

  “Would it have mattered?” He ran his hand through his black hair. “Besides, it wouldn’t have changed anything; you’re engaged,” he stated. “My future queen.”

  “Don’t,” I said, ignoring his snide grin. “I still feel nauseated.”

  He slipped his fingers between mine. “Don’t be. I’m just playing. You were born to rule, like your brother. Now you both will get to have two kingdoms one day.”

  “Don’t,” I warned. “Marriage,” I spluttered. “To Blaise.”

  I wanted purpose, not a wedding.

  Jasper shrugged. “You can still have fun. The fae court isn’t as stringent as here.”

  I hadn’t given much thought to where I would be living once I was married. Hell, I’d barely digested the idea of being a wife.

  Jasper’s gaze settled on mine, calming me. He ran his finger over my hand, the touch breaking my anger for a moment. His tone softened. “I was just as surprised as you. King Azrael never did like sorcerers much. It is all a little odd, but I guess stranger things have happened.”

  I tapped my finger against my chin. “No. I am most curious as to why he would change his mind. He hates my father.”

  He chuckled. “Yeah, Azrael and Amos have been fighting to gain superiority since I was a child. At least Blaise seems pleased about the arrangement.”

  I puffed out my bottom lip into a pout. “Blaise isn’t exactly the commitment type.”

  “None of us are.”

  Jasper’s wings protruded from his back. They glistened under the dim light in shades of silver and purple. He didn’t need to show them off, but he knew how much they fascinated me.

  “Show-off.”

  He chuckled. “You love it, besides I wanted to see that beautiful smile.”

  I shot him a bemused grin. “You shouldn’t be sneaking around the bedrooms of royalty.”

  He brushed his hand against mine, and his face flushed slightly. “See, that’s the thing. I can’t stop thinking about you. I don’t mind getting in trouble.”

  A lump rose in my throat. My heart was pounding so hard, it felt like my chest was vibrating. I couldn’t lead him on. My future was crystalized, and emotions would only muddy the waters.

  “I’m not interested.”

  He arched an eyebrow. “You’re a terrible liar, you know.”

  I rolled my eyes. “You can tell anyway.”

  Lust fluttered in my stomach. I understood why girls pined after him; Jasper was addictive in every sense of the word. He reached up and cupped my face. His gaze fell deep into mine, and the corners of his lips creased upward into an arrogant smirk. “Besides, if you’re wealthy enough, you can have anything you desire.”

  I batted his hand away. “Except a crown. That’s only for those of royal blood,” I teased.

  His eyes widened. He placed his hand on my waist, despite my discouragement. A spark flamed through me as he closed his hold around me, consuming the space between us.

  “You should leave,” I warned and looked around him at the door. “If anyone sees us together…”

  He bit down on his bottom lip. “That’s part of the fun.”

  “I don’t like you,” I said, at an attempt of strengthening my resolve.

  His breaths quickened. “Yes, you do.”

  I didn’t get a chance to catch my breath before he placed his lips on mine. I wanted to resist, but something between us glowed too bright for us to ignore. He was sarcastic, a flirt, and far too reckless, but that kiss was the first thing to make me feel alive in the longest time. My stomach flipped. I felt giddy as we pulled apart an inch. He brushed the tip of his nose against mine, and I smiled. It felt familiar…

  I gasped. “The reading,” I said aloud, acquiring an odd look from Jasper. I had felt the kiss; it was part of my destiny. I looked at Jasper doe-eyed. Was he my future? My fate?

  My father’s voice sliced through the room, cutting through everything else. �
�What is this?”

  I gasped. “It-it’s not what it looks like.” My brain faltered as a flash of silver caught my eye.

  Jasper pulled away, still staring at me. Blood gushed through his white shirt like veins spreading outward from the end of the blade. The scarlet liquid leaked through his fingers as he pressed his hands against the wound. The light paled from his eyes. I wanted to scream, but I was in disbelief. Fae couldn’t die. They were immortal.

  “Winter…” Jasper hesitated. The sword was wrenched back, and Jasper collapsed to the ground like a puppet that had its strings cut.

  My eyes met my father’s, the blue in his irises scattering the scene. Warning laced his stare, his nostrils flared, and he dropped the metal weapon, which clashed against crimson-soaked stone.

  Jasper’s body turned to ash, and he ceased to exist.

  I stared at my father slack-jawed. “W-why?” I stuttered.

  “He would have gone back to Niferum and told them you were a whore, or try to take you for himself. I need this marriage to happen.” He spat. His mouth twisted in disgust as he stared at the spot where Jasper had existed mere moments before. “The fae are always just doing what they please, taking what they want. People like him will drag you down. I did you a gratitude.”

  My eyes widened. “He would never have said anything… you murdered him for no reason!”

  “I did this to protect the betrothal. You were about to undo all of my hard work.” His eyes glittered with darkness. “Do not say a word about this. To anyone.”

  I barely nodded when I was forced away from the area where Jasper had been. His last kiss still lingering on my lips.

  ***

  Shock erased the next few hours. I couldn’t remember how I ended up locked away in a different room, lying on a bed in the fetal position, and sobbing. Until my mother came in, sitting on the side of my bed, explaining how we needed to go along with my father’s liethat Jasper had run from the castle with one of us and gone to an island somewhere. Fae and sorcerers didn’t have official relationships, at least until my betrothal with Blaise, so it could be believable. Her eyebrows pinched downward when she told me how I could never tell another soul what happened.