Page 1 of Kingdom of Briars and Roses (Cursed Fae Courts #1)

Chapter One

Aurelia

T he day before my life went to Hel, the world outside Sunspire Castle appeared deceivingly serene. From my bedroom window, I surveyed the view. Our capital city of Rosewood sprawled northward, vibrant with the hum of merchants and the laughter of children. To the west, the Osphanis River sparkled in the afternoon sunlight as it wound lazily toward the forest. But beneath the peace, I couldn’t shake the feeling that my destiny lay beyond these walls—waiting, dangerous, and inescapable.

As always, my thoughts drifted to the monster who lurked out there too.

Heliconia.

She was a powerful threat that loomed ever greater with each passing day. One the king and queen of the Summer Court would do anything to defeat.

Even sacrifice their firstborn daughter.

I looked down at the empty finger where my mate’s ring would go and rubbed absently at my palms. As if I could wash my hands of this whole damned mess. As if I hadn’t spent the last eight months trying and failing to do just that .

A soft knock interrupted my thoughts, and I turned as my bedroom door swung open.

My younger sister Lilah skipped in, her honey-blonde hair bouncing with each step. At eight years old, she was pure light and joy, untouched by the burdens of politics and arranged alliances. It made my heart squeeze to think what kind of world might await her when she reached her own twentieth birthday.

“Aurelia,” she sang, her blue eyes bright.

I tugged on her pointed fae ear. “Hey, rascal.”

She stuck out her tongue. “I’m not a rascal. I’m a princess.”

“Why can’t you be both?” I countered.

She frowned, clearly undecided, then changed the subject. “Mother is waiting for you,” she scolded. Ugh. She was our mother reincarnate when she used that voice. “She said you were due an hour ago to discuss final arrangements.”

“I know,” I said, ruffling her hair. She wrinkled her nose in mock protest but didn’t bother straightening the mess. Her royal mannerisms might’ve come from our mother, but her willingness to forego the perfection of styled hair and fancy gowns was all me. “I just needed a moment.”

“They shooed me out, which means they’re probably talking about Heliconia again. Why does she hate us so much anyway?” Her innocent gaze as she asked the question was enough to make my heart ache.

“I don’t think it’s about us,” I told her.

“Then what’s it about?”

I gave her a pointed look. “Nothing you need to worry about.”

She scowled. “No one tells me anything important.”

“That’s because you’re supposed to be enjoying the perks of being a kid.”

“Mother says ignorance is the mark of a terrible leader. ”

I rolled my eyes. “I don’t think that applies to eight-year-olds.”

She shrugged. “I don’t make the rules.”

I grinned at that. “All right, fine. Heliconia once competed to become one of the Aine.”

“But the Aine are so good ,” Lilah protested.

She was right.

The Aine were an elite caste of warriors among the fae. A sacred dozen selected by the Fates to protect the realm from any threat. The selection was a practice that dated back a thousand years and was one of the few traditions honored by every single court. The female warriors were chosen for their lethal strength but also their pure hearts. Heliconia had proven one but not the other.

Her heart was much more like the Furiosities.

If the Fates were the light, the Furiosities were pure darkness. Kings of Hel whose shadow gifts fed off the black-hearted and the corrupt. They were the demons of nightmares and the bedtime stories used to keep children from being naughty.

“Probably why Heliconia wasn’t chosen,” I pointed out.

“Yeah,” Lilah muttered. Her expression sharpened. “Then what happened?”

“When Heliconia lost her place among the Aine, she became bitter. She blamed the Fates and the Aine they’d chosen—specifically the Summer Court’s warriors—for shutting her out unfairly. Her heart twisted with darkness, and she vowed revenge.”

“What was her revenge?” Lilah asked in a hushed voice.

“One night, she trapped a demon in the forest and forced him to give her some of his dark magic. Then she used it to kill one of the Aine and took its power inside herself. She’s been using that power to kill the Aine and end the practice of making more ever since. ”

Lilah stared at me with wide eyes until I’d finished the story. Then, she blinked, and her expression cleared to something so matter-of-fact that it caught me off guard.

“I know, but why us?” she pressed. “ We’re not Aine. And we didn’t do anything to her.”

“She’s power-hungry and bloodthirsty. And instead of taking one life at a time, she craves the realm itself.”

“That’s why she attacked Concordia,” Lilah said.

“Yes.” And why she’d vowed to come for the rest of us.

“She’s a meany-head,” Lilah declared.

“A complete meany-head,” I agreed.

I braced myself for more questions, but my sister was apparently satisfied enough to change the subject—back to the one she undoubtedly cared about most right now.

“I asked Mother if I could go to your party, and she said no. It’s not fair.” She pouted.

“It will be way past your bedtime,” I reminded her.

“And yours,” she shot back. There was a dreamy sigh in her voice as she added, “I just want to meet Prince Callan.”

Callan.

His name was spoken more often than I cared to hear it. My future husband, the heir to the Autumn Court. The fae male I was meant to marry to secure an alliance strong enough to protect Sevanwinds from the growing threat of Heliconia. To ensure we didn’t share Concordia’s fate.

Lilah looked back at me, stars shining in her eyes. “Do you think he’s handsome?”

“I think that matters a lot less than if he’s good or fair or kind.”

Lilah shrugged, still too young to understand the gravity of our world. “I bet he’s handsome. You’re lucky. By the end of the week, you’ll have a prince for a husband. Mother says maybe someday I’ll get one, too. And then we can both have our own castles. ”

Her innocence, her joy… It made me smile, though there was a heaviness beneath it all. I envied her. To be that carefree, untouched by duty. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d felt that way. If ever.

“I’m sure you will,” I said softly. “But for now, you’re too young to be thinking about princes and husbands.”

Lilah laughed and twirled, her blue dress spinning around her ankles. I spotted dirt along the hemline and shook my head. Before I could warn her about letting Mother see it, she conjured a fistful of wildflowers and held them to her chest like a bridal bouquet.

“One day,” Lilah said as she twirled, “I’ll have a big wedding just like you, with flowers and music and dancing?—”

“Lilah,” I interrupted gently, catching her mid-spin. “Marriage is not just about parties. It’s hard work.”

“How do you know?” she teased. “Have you ever been married?”

I shook my head. “Have you?”

Lilah tilted her head, but before she could say whatever was on her mind, a bell tolled from the temple tower across the courtyard. It was past time. And now I was late for more than just the meeting with my parents.

Hels.

I gave Lilah a quick hug and sent her off with a playful nudge. “Go find Maelis,” I told her. “You’re late for your afternoon lessons.”

Lilah ran off, still clutching the flowers, singing to herself as she disappeared around the corner, her footsteps echoing down the hall. I watched her go, affection tightening my chest. The marriage alliance stipulated I’d spend half the year in Grey Oak with my husband and half the year here in the Summer Court. I wasn’t sure what I’d do without Lilah’s light in my days for the half-year I was gone.

I hoped she never lost that light .

Or that Heliconia never found a way to snuff it out.

To ensure it, I would give myself to Prince Callan even if he wasn’t any of the things I’d told Lilah I wanted. Even if all I’d ever wanted was to be a warrior, mateless and free like the Aine.

Sunspire’s throne room was grand, all high ceilings and sun-drenched whitestone walls with the banners of Sevanwinds hanging proudly from the ceiling. At the far end, two ornate thrones, also made of whitestone, sat on a dais, beautiful glittering jewels embedded along their plated gold backing. On another platform high above it all stood a whitestone sculpture of the Fates. The curved, singular body portrayed three faces in one; Maiden, Mother, Crone. The goddesses who bestowed their favor—or their disfavor—upon all creatures who walked Menryth. A similar likeness stood inside every temple across the realm, but this one was special.

Mother had once told me the whitestone sculpture and matching thrones had been gifted by the Fates themselves at my royal dedication ceremony. The sculpture had never held much interest for me, but the thrones always drew my attention for some reason.

Lilah and I had sat in them once while our parents were at a dinner—her idea, not mine. The porous surface was meant to absorb power, thus imbuing the stone with strength. They were even more uncomfortable than they looked. Cold and unforgiving with sharp angles and hard edges.

We never bothered to sit in them again.

Currently, they were empty as the king and queen of the Summer Court stood over a long table draped in an emerald silk cloth. Several maps of the fae realms lay spread before them, scattered with markers showing the kingdoms, the courts, and the fae who ruled them.

After years of trying to forge alliances with the courts, the only one that had entertained our request was Autumn. According to my father, the river people of Osphiris had spent the one and only meeting they’d attended arguing with the representatives of the Midnight Court—a conflict that had nearly devolved into a physical altercation. The Moriori, though they dutifully attended each meeting, were pacifists and didn’t possess an army large enough. Spring had sent word that they’d consider pledging their support only when we had the allegiance of enough others for theirs to matter. I couldn’t understand the fae’s unwillingness to unite, especially after watching Concordia destroyed in its isolation.

That last meeting had been almost a year ago now. I’d begged my father to let me attend with him, but he refused, telling me to enjoy the months I had left as a blissfully unaware young adult. I’d done exactly that by using my free time to make out with a handsome stable hand. He’d been wrong about my being unaware though. I’d overheard enough conversations to know things were bad for the realm.

Heliconia’s power had grown, as had the frequency of her attacks along our border villages. Our time was running out—I could feel it. Why couldn’t they?

With Grey Oak our only option—and me our only bargaining tool—it had come down to this: a marriage that would join Summer and Autumn into one court. My parents were sacrificing their entire empire to ensure we survived Heliconia’s hatred.

Every time I thought of it, my stomach roiled.

Bracing myself for the conversation that awaited me, I approached them quietly, my footsteps soft against the cool stone beneath me. Father looked up first, his golden crown gleaming in the sunlight. His blue eyes filled with warmth as they settled on me, though an edge of concern remained in his expression.

My mother took one look at the pants and tunic I wore and frowned. “What are you wearing?”

“Training gear,” I reminded her.

She sent a death glare to the sword I’d strapped to my hip. But I refused to have this argument with her—again. My mother liked to believe a princess was meant to fight her battles through verbal sparring alone.

My father, as usual, broke the tension.

“Aurelia,” he said, motioning for me to sit. “We need to speak about final wedding arrangements.”

I tensed, trying to bite back my usual argument against the idea. “Mother and I have nearly finished planning everything.”

“Except for your dress,” my mother said sternly. Her strawberry blonde hair had fallen over her shoulder in waves, softening her austere features. “I’m told you still haven’t made a final decision on the lace samples I sent you.”

I took a seat across from them, smoothing my tunic as I sat. The stone beneath me felt cold, but I kept my posture straight, my expression composed. Normally, I would have thoroughly enjoyed the fittings and fabric choices and all the trappings that went with a party like this one. But considering this wedding ceremony felt a lot more like a prison than a partnership, I’d been less than enthusiastic about the process.

“I’ll send my choice to the seamstress before the end of the day,” I told her.

She waved me off. “Don’t bother. I already did. I went with the single layer as I think the simplicity is best.”

I nodded, not bothering to argue. The dress was the least of my problems, anyway. I was much more worried about what would happen when I came out of it. Not that sex was a mystery. But the idea of offering myself to someone I hadn’t chosen sent waves of disgust through me.

Mother’s voice was quiet but firm as she added, “Callan’s emissary arrived this morning. Callan will be here by nightfall, and we’re expecting you to greet him.”

My heart squeezed, but I ignored it, keeping my voice even as I said, “I’ll be here.”

Callan’s arrival would signal the official start of the three-day Solstice celebration, beginning with the lamplight party tomorrow night. My father had started the tradition years ago as a surprise birthday party for me. I’d always loved seeing the floating lights glowing against the night sky, but I wasn’t sure I’d feel the same after tomorrow when the occasion became my engagement party too. And then, three days from now, the Solstice celebration would end with my wedding.

“We’ll also need you present day after tomorrow to sign the marriage contract,” my father added.

“Of course.” I nodded at them both, though my throat felt tight. At their wary expressions, I added, shoving the words out, “I won’t let you down. I know how important this alliance is for us.”

Father leaned forward, his brow furrowed. “More than important, Aurelia. It’s essential. With Concordia fallen, and no one willing to ally with us, we are vulnerable. Heliconia’s power grows by the day. If—no, when —she moves against us, we’ll need Grey Oak’s strength to hold her back.”

Concordia, the Winter Court, had once been a bastion of strength. Now, it lay in ruins, overtaken by Heliconia’s dark forces. Rumors said she’d torn Queen Valfina’s broken body from her ice throne and tossed it off a mountain before proclaiming herself the new Winter Court queen. The news had sent shockwaves through the fae realms where peace had ruled for a thousand years—until now.

The stories of Concordia’s invasion had already grown to hideous legends, the kind told to scare children and soldiers alike—how Heliconia’s creatures, twisted by her dark magic, had swept through Concordia like a plague, consuming everything in their path. Some they’d killed. Some they’d imprisoned and forced to fight each other for sport.

It was horrible to even think about. All those small villages tucked into the mountains. Traders. Farmers. Peaceful fae. So many innocents caught in the crossfire.

“I still can’t believe the Midnight Court sat by and watched,” I said, unable to keep the hardness from my voice. “Heliconia’s invasion happened practically on their doorstep, and they don’t even care.”

“The Midnight Court claims to have their reasons, though they haven’t bothered to share what those might be,” my father said, his eyes flashing with a fury I rarely saw him display. “But we’re past pointing fingers. We must look to our own survival.”

“Grey Oak is the stronger ally anyway.” Mother’s voice sharpened. “Their army is vast, and the prince has a reputation for ruthlessness, which we will need if we’re to beat Heliconia.”

“He sounds like the perfect husband,” I said wryly.

She sighed, softening a little. “Like it or not, you are the key to this alliance, Aurelia. Your union with Callan will ensure that our armies are strong enough to resist whatever Heliconia brings. And when the time comes, you will lead Sevanwinds to victory.”

My chest tightened at the words. Lead Sevanwinds to victory. As if it were all but guaranteed. As if there was no chance of failure. As if placing a male’s ring on my finger somehow transformed me into a weapon.

“I know what’s at stake,” I said, keeping my voice steady. “I’ll do what’s necessary.”

Mother’s gaze lingered on me, searching for cracks in my resolve. But she said nothing more, simply nodding in approval .

Father reached across the table, his hand warm as it rested on mine. Some of that was thanks to his magic. The Summer Court ruler wielded the power of a solstice sun. Or that’s what the summer fae claimed about their king. For decades now, fae magic had been waning so that each new generation wielded less than the last. The sad truth was that, if my father could truly wield the power of the sun, we wouldn’t need to marry me off to gain an army.

Then again, if I had magic at all, maybe I’d be useful beyond the benefits of a marriage contract.

“You are our future, Aurelia,” he said softly. “Someday, you will be queen of a vast kingdom, one twice as big as it is now?—”

“I know,” I said, unwilling to let him convince me this was a good thing.

Once, I’d looked forward to my future as queen. A fair and just ruler beloved by her people. Like my parents.

But not anymore.

No matter how hard they tried to spin it, this marriage would still be something forced on me. A cage I would be locked inside—all to preserve our freedom and our lives.

I rose from the table. “I’m late for training.”

“Aurelia, wait.” My father’s voice softened. Our eyes met, and I watched as duty gave way to affection. “We’re so proud of you. And so grateful.”

A rush of emotion tugged at my heart. Frustration. Resentment—and love. It was a tangle of feelings. But at the root, I found myself unwilling to stay angry with them. Not when they were giving up so much in this arrangement too.

My mother rose and came around the table, holding her arms out to both of us. The three of us embraced, silent and still for just this moment.

“Make me proud,” she whispered in my ear.

Her display was much rarer than my father’s, which only served to drive home how much was at stake. But for the span of a breath, I shoved it all away and let their arms envelop me. For just a moment, they weren’t the king and queen. They were parents. Good ones with kind hearts and a love for their people. A love for me.

Standing in the circle of that love, I prayed to the Fates and the Aine warriors who served them that the horrible feeling in my gut wasn’t an omen that this might be the last time we ever stood this way again.