Page 7 of Bonded to the Fallen Shadow King (Of Fae and Wolf Trilogy #1)

Chapter Seven

Briar

M y head spun, and I wanted to clamp my hands over my mouth. As soon as I’d admitted I was going to die, Vad's expression had twisted in disgust. His irises were the color of a storm rolling in. He probably was upset that I’d pretty much spat in his face when he was trying to help me survive.

His chest heaved, and without another word he spun on his heels and marched out the doors, leaving me alone.

Unshed tears burned in my eyes and blurred my vision, and my heart squeezed tight within my chest. Fate, I missed Ember. She’d know what to do, and here I stood, fucking clueless. I dug my fingers into my sticky hair, yanking on the ends. Even the pain didn’t ground me. I could still feel the weight of his silence on my shoulders, like a burden I couldn’t shrug off.

No matter what I did, nothing was right. I couldn’t win. Not here, not with my life, not in any way. I plunked into one of the chairs, not caring that my ass landed right in the middle of blackberry fluff. I picked up a goblet of the sweet, dark-blue drink I’d liked at dinner.

Aside from my sister, I’d lost my entire pack in one night and then been separated from her and held in captivity. It had been one thing after another, and just when things had been settling down and I had a new pack with my sister, boom. Dipshit and Asshole came and dragged me into this weird, dangerous land.

And now...I might have lost my entire family, so why did any of this matter? My hand squeezed the goblet tight, the drink sloshing at the rim. I dragged the back of my hand over my eyes and tossed my sticky hair behind my shoulders.

That wretched mark on my hand—the one that flared every time I thought of my family— was going to put me in danger until I finally did die.

No wonder he’d left. He’d realized his advice was pointless, and I had to agree.

I glanced at my hand. The blob of trifle on the back rippled in sync with the wings of my butterfly tattoo. Another reminder Fate hated me and had decided I wasn't worthy. The faint burning sensation made me feel even stranger than I had before…like a dead woman walking. Hopefully being dead would hurt less.

My throat closed, and my stomach churned.

I shifted in the seat, feeling the berry mush cling to me, the sugary dessert slick against my skin. I sat back and continued to spiral.

As if missing Ember wasn’t enough, why did I feel this weird pull toward Vaddy? He was sexy yeah, but he was a complete ass. This was so stupid . Everything seemed stacked against me, and it had been ever since I got here. Or before that. Maybe for my entire life.

I ran a finger along the rim of the glass, and then took a deep breath, trying to relax. None of it helped, so I took a long drink and then another.

The door clicked open, and Thalen swaggered back in. His boots made no sound as he came closer. He then motioned with his hand, and the mess in the seat next to me disappeared.

I stared in disbelief as he dropped into the chair. He poured the dark liquid into a clean goblet and turned toward me. When he grinned, it reached his eyes, making them seem like liquid gold.

Damn, that smile could melt an iceberg. He was truly attractive, and way friendlier than any of the others.

"Two things.” He lifted one finger. “Kaylen’s shit does stink." Then he raised another. “What is a Temu Legolas?"

Laughter exploded before I could stop it, and I fell backward, my body hitting another patch of glop. Of all the things I’d expected him to say, that wasn’t it.

He sat there studying me, head tilted, the picture of composure.

After a long, wonderful moment, I found enough composure to answer him. "I’ll just call you Sparkles."

He snickered and adjusted his dark tunic. "It fits, doesn’t it? And I have finally decided what I'll call you.”

I liked this game. "Let's hear it."

"The Queen of Chaos." He held his hands in front of him like it was some sort of headline. "Chaos for short. Copper Chaos, if I'm feeling fiesty."

I giggled, unable to stop. My cheeks ached with it. "That explains why everyone gets so worked up over me. Better than Briar Rose or Princess."

“Rose suits you too.” He folded his arms behind his head. “You’ll need to come up for a nickname for Prince Vad, because calling him anything but his name doesn’t feel right to me."

My heart dropped. Vad might be a prince, but he wasn’t the prince for me. I suspected I’d always be alone, so dying in the next couple days might be a blessing. "You have to help me with something.” I leaned toward him, now trying to fight off tears. I needed to stop thinking about Vaddy. “How does a prince have no clue what 'someone’s shit don’t stink' means, but knows 'a stick up your ass'?”

“None of us had heard that one before." Thalen shrugged. “Because shit stinks, so of course no one needs to say it doesn’t." He winked and crossed his legs. "An entire lifetime of being told how important and powerful we are allows us to know not to say uncouth things. It's the first and last thing most fae learn."

"That sounds similar to Earth, where certain supernatural beings want as much power as possible. They want to kill and beat the others down, and sometimes, I can't help but wonder if dying would just be easier than trying to survive here.” I’d never said that out loud before. Ember worried about me enough that I didn’t want to add to her burden, but saying the words made them feel so much more real. I’d been attacked, kidnapped, and near death so many times—maybe the sand in the hourglass was running out.

My heart sank. At least Ember wasn’t here to try and protect me only to wind up dying herself. She had a fated mate and a new pack that relied on her. Still, I wanted to at least tell her I loved her again.

He nodded and huffed. "It’s the same in Nytheria, but the fae refuse to admit vulnerability. It’s a sign of weakness."

"Well, I’ll most likely die tomorrow, so I figure there’s no reason for false bravery. Whether you call a vampire by their name or a bloodsucker, it means the same thing," I shot back, raising a brow.

"Your analogies make me smile." He clapped his hands and then rubbed them together. "So, are you and Sparkles”—he pointed at himself as if it weren’t obvious—“going to have a little fun before this is all over?"

I gasped and placed a hand on my chest. “You’ll just have to wait and see. I have a feeling it will be chaotic.”

"Can’t be any other way with you." He lifted his glass in a salute. "Here's to the Copper Queen of Chaos."

I snorted, just as the doors open again and Elara reentered the room.

Her dark-blue eyes fixed on Thalen, and she scowled. "I don't need to explain to you why this is inappropriate.” The authority in her voice made the air shiver despite the soft volume.

“She needs a friend.” Thalen stood. "Then again, do I really need to say that? Something brought you back. Unless it was my luminous presence?"

I half expected Thalen to put up a fight, but instead, he winked, bowed, and walked toward the door. At the last second, he turned and snagged a pitcher of dark liquid.

“Good night, Chaos," he sing-songed, and then slipped into the hallway.

Elara turned her attention to me. I felt an unexpected flutter of nerves as her gaze settled on my messy, food-covered self. She was so proper and delicate, and I was an honest-to-goodness mess. What was she even doing here? Had Vad sent her to punish me?

"It would be wise for you to show more discretion, get cleaned up, and take your rest." She spoke in her usual firm tone as she glanced around the room, then back to me. "Clothing has been provided for you in your room."

I blinked and bit my bottom lip, unsure what to say. Her presence was so different from Thalen's, and even more from Vad's.

"You don’t have to explain anything to me. I get it. I messed up." I brushed my bare foot along the wooden floor.

She placed her hand on a small clean spot on my shoulder. "Our ways aren't your ways, and I know this is hard." She gestured around the dark hall. Her voice held the same gentle note of patience as before.

It reminded me of Ember, who’d always been so understanding, even when I was… A sob built in my chest. No. I couldn’t think of my sister right now. I just needed to get back home.

“Tomorrow will be easier if you get your rest.” She nodded toward the door.

It wasn’t a threat. It was concern and advice, and better than what any of the others had offered.

“I’m s—” I started.

“Never apologize to or thank a fae, especially when the fault isn’t yours." She pressed her lips together and dropped her hand.

She was being kind, and my heart cracked a little more. But she was right. I couldn’t let my guard down. I was already weak enough.

"It is also important for you to pay attention to the tells, so I’ll quickly go over the basic ones." She looped an arm in mine and led me out the door as she continued. “When Sylvan and Aquen fae are spellcasting, the temperature drops. For Ignis and Terran Fae, the temperature rises. Most fae sense the change a few seconds before someone uses power—it will give you at least a short warning.”

I hung on her every word.

"For Shadow and Neutral Fae, the temperature stays the same, so it's trickier to predict them." Her face set into what had to be determination. She wasn’t messing with me. She was truly trying to help. "The wind blade Kaylen summons is nontraditional. It’s unusually sharp and dangerous, a combination of crystal and wind that carries deadly poison."

As we walked down the quiet hallway, I stumbled. "Why are you telling me this?" My voice was barely above a whisper.

Her expression softened, and she spoke with the same authority and grace that had made Thalen leave. "While I trust Fate to make the right choice for my brother's wife, I also believe in being proactive. I do not want to see cruelty rewarded."

"I doubt Vad would like you helping me," The words left my mouth before I could think better of it.

She smiled, her lips pulling a little higher on the left. “My brother would not be pleased if he knew I’d shared this, but as someone who is considered weak, I know what it’s like to be underestimated. Use that to your advantage. You are stronger than you know."

We walked to a door that had my name carved into a wood panel.

She opened it for me but caught my arm before I entered. “Guard your room. Never assume you’re safe. That will help you survive.” Then she walked away, leaving me alone in the hallway.

My heart raced, and I rushed in and slammed the door shut, placing my back against it as I took in the room.

My eyes widened and my jaw dropped. It was easily twice as big as my room back home.

The large space was lit by glimmering crystals that hung like chandeliers. The massive bed was covered in black sheets with golden-satin pillows and a wooden headboard.

Black?

Had they known my sheets were that color back home?

Even the walls were black, and speckled with gold butterflies. A copper wolf mask with trailing chains hung by the bed. In between the bed and the mask was a carved ebony nightstand.

I spotted a large basin in the corner. I’d spent more nights alone, exhausted from the day’s adventures, unable to scrub the stains from my skin. I thought I’d have to have one more, but this time was different. There were dark linens set out, and clothing folded on to the side of the basin so neatly that it almost felt wrong to touch it. This entire situation seemed eerie.

I stumbled to the basin and moved the clothes.

Crimson water filled the massive tub, spilling warmth and the scent of juniper and spice. Steam rose around me, relaxing muscles I hadn't realized were tense. I shed the confection-caked Stitch pajamas and took in a shaky breath as I sat in something that resembled blood. Thankfully, the water wasn’t thick like blood, and it smelled of sugar. I leaned back, allowing the water to wash over me and make my skin tingle. As soon as the syrupy stains were gone from my body, my mind returned to everything Elara had said, the knowledge she'd given me. Then it drifted back to her brother and how, when he'd left, it had felt like he’d given up on me.

I submerged myself in the water, trying to wash my worries away. I didn’t know what to make of any of this. What had he been thinking? What were any of them thinking? How was Ember reacting back at home?

I should never have been brought here. Should never have been noticed by Fate, or anyone else.

I rested in the huge tub a long time, the water cooling until I finally felt like my head was above it again. I climbed out and dressed in a black silk nightgown, then went to the bed. Before I did, my gaze landed on the door. I couldn’t fall asleep without added protection.

The nightstand.

I tried to move it, but it weighed far more than I expected. Calling on my wolf strength, I pushed it over, the scuffing sound of wood on stone echoing in the room. My muscles strained and cramped as I shoved it right in front of the door before turning around and falling into the oversize bed.

I curled up beneath the sheets, letting them cling to my still-damp skin, and hoped exhaustion would take hold. The shadows cast by the crystal's light seemed to move and mock me.

A sob broke free, and tears poured down my face, soaking the pillowcase underneath me. I’d felt this alone only once before, and this time Ember wasn’t able to save me. My chest tightened…and eventually sleep overtook me.

* * *

Something sweet and savory hit my nose. Consciousness tugged at me…then the sound of the nightstand groaning against the floor had my eyes flying open. Someone was trying to open my door.

I jumped out of bed, ready to attack, as three fae ladies squeezed through the small slit in the doorway. All three wore floor-length gray gowns with simple white aprons, and their hair was swept up and pinned back from their faces.

“What the hell,” I yelped, jumping back into bed and holding the covers to my chest. I scanned them for weapons and stayed alert for any temperature changes in the room, but nothing seemed amiss.

One of the fae smiled and gestured to a tray piled high with breakfast that another held in her hands. Dark breads, thick spreads, and fruits more vibrant than any I'd ever seen were arranged in a tower that seemed as absurd as everything else in this world. “We brought you breakfast, and we’re here to help you dress for the first trial.”

My heart dropped, and I pushed my hair from my face. They probably had us eating in our rooms because of what happened last night in the dining room. That was more than okay with me.

The fae piled up a plate and handed it to me. I chose a thick slice of what smelled like banana bread, spread a thick layer of rich creamy butter with a hint of brown sugar and cinnamon on top, and took a bite. Hints of banana and pumpkin with molasses and sugar filled my mouth. The flavors danced on my tongue, making even my wolf salivate, and I watched the other two fae move the nightstand to the side and open the door wider.

The shortest fae brought over a leather tunic, pants, and black boots that were simple but elegant. “Here you are, miss.” She placed the clothes on my bed. “Please change and let us know when you’re ready for us to come back in.”

The three ladies darted out of the room as I took my last bite and stood.

As I dressed, my heart tightened at a small blank sunk-in detail framed on the chest area of the tunic. A place where a medallion could go. Perhaps the winner would receive something to put there.

The entire outfit was fitted, including black boots, and allowed me to move easily. And more important, I loved the colors—black and blue with copper accents. They made the clothing feel like mine, even though the outfit was fancier than anything I'd ever owned.

Before I could call for them, the three fae returned and raced to style my hair while patting my face all over, leaving a faint coldness behind. They were almost as persistent as Elara and wouldn’t take no for an answer.

When they finished, I looked in the mirror and froze. I looked like one of them. Well, as close as I’d ever get. I had makeup on—how was that possible? I touched my face, feeling the coolness covering my skin, and my tattoo fluttered slightly faster. Before I could investigate more, Elara appeared in the doorway.

She scanned me, then sighed. "It’s time."

The two of us stepped into the hallway, and chills ran up my spine. It was darker and cooler out here, but I sensed a strange, burning magic in the air. It nipped at my skin, a warning that I wasn’t supposed to be here.

But my steps didn’t falter. Neither did Elara’s.

Her short frame moved with graceful determination, her long hair plaited and neat. I hurried to keep up with her, our footsteps echoing along the marble floors as the stained-glass windows cast light that seemed too distant to reach us. My pulse quickened with each step. I shouldn’t be here . But maybe…maybe this time would be different.

Eerie shadows swelled around us as we walked farther down the dim corridor, and I shivered. Elara was so calm and composed, her movements serene. It was as if none of this affected her at all. But me? I felt every strange chill and stray gleam of light, every instinct telling me that I didn’t belong and needed to get back home.

I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to shake the feeling off and convince myself that Elara wouldn’t have helped me if I didn’t have a chance.

As moments passed, the sound of my footsteps grew louder, echoing back to me like a constant reminder that I was walking towards my death. We passed more windows, the light slanting in to stain the marble floor with flickering patterns of black and gold. It looked like spilled blood, and my stomach churned, my pulse a drumbeat, fast and unsteady.

As we neared the end, my breath grew shallow and my heart drummed even harder, like the drummer boy before the fighters attacked.

We reached the massive doors and my throat tightened. This could be the last time I saw these halls. My wolf snarled, disliking me giving up. But I couldn’t brush away the sense of impending doom that pressed against my body, causing my knees to weaken.

Then Elara opened the doors…and I stumbled back.