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Chapter one

The Uninvited Guests

Ayla

I lifted a hand to my brow, squinting at the purple horizon of the approaching sunset. My heart raced at the sight of land.

Mer.

We had arrived.

Coral reefs rose from the sea, surrounding the isle, protecting it with a wall of brilliant teals and vibrant oranges. Such a splendid destination for a dangerous mission.

Behind me, the boat’s floorboards creaked as my heart fluttered. I turned in time to see Zayne joining me at the bow, shadows rippling behind him. “Are you excited, Princess?”

The way he called me princess drew a smirk from me. It would have gotten anyone else punched.

“Back on Valterra, I heard accounts of Mer,” I answered. “And in every single one, they spoke of its beauty. I always thought when I visited, it would be under better circumstances.”

His dark eyes twinkled. “Now that’s where you’re mistaken. What circumstances could you have possibly imagined that were better than my valiant company?”

“We’re on a quest, remember?”

“Let’s pretend otherwise, if only for a moment.” He wrapped his arm around me, pulling me flush against him.

In response, my heart raced, the tether throbbing alongside it, ignoring my desperate attempts to refuse it. Ever since we had left Gloom’s stagnant mists, my attempts to deny that anything permanent had formed between us had grown weaker by the hour.

And Zayne seemed to know it.

“Imagine it was just you and me,” he continued. “Two fae who have escaped the responsibilities of their families and have finally left Gloom behind. We are eager to explore the world… and one another.”

Despite my hesitation, my breath caught. “Yes?”

“We spent the first week of this relationship fighting for our lives. And then we spent the last month rebuilding Eleanor’s stronghold. We haven’t had time to… court one another.”

I laughed him off. “After all that, I’m hardly convinced we need to court each other.”

He cupped my chin, lifting it so I would meet his gaze. “Ayla, we’ve barely had time to get to know one another, but I’m certain I wouldn’t have survived the descent to the Underworld without you.”

I glanced away. “We don’t know that for sure.” Our bond had been the result of my desperation. I didn’t want him to die, and now it seemed he was trapped with me.

Nobody deserved to be stuck with the likes of me.

All the same, he squeezed me tighter. “We could visit the Meridian Moon? It’s a fiddle bar that specializes in the strangest, most experimental of instruments.”

I softened at the idea. “Oh, that does sound fun.”

“Or we could find a hidden lagoon, somewhere tucked away on one of the many outer reefs. We would swim… amongst other things. If you’re interested.”

My throat tightened at the promise in his voice. My chest swelled, begging me to acknowledge the bond.

I can’t.

But I also couldn’t resist him for another second.

Rising on my toes, I inched my face to his.

He closed the distance, pressing his lips to mine.

My entire body shuddered and then rushed into action.

My hands were upon him, fingers tracing up his neck as he pinned me tightly against him.

When I reached his horns, I pressed the sensitive spot at their base, and Zayne moaned deliciously.

The sound of his need resounded in my being, amplified by the lightness that filled everything since we left Gloom behind.

My core warmed, the heat still so new after our time in the stagnant mists that I broke the kiss, desperate to catch my breath. I needed to claim him before I came to my senses.

“We don’t have long,” I whispered, grabbing his hand as I led the way toward the ship’s small cabin.

“Ayla?” Rhett’s voice rose from the speaking stone tucked in my pocket.

I froze.

By Teyr, he has the worst timing.

“Ayla? Are you there?” my oldest friend asked. The stone would only work for a limited time, only while the isles were cast in liminal dusk and dawn.

Zayne’s grin faded into seriousness.

Rhett continued, “I know we planned to meet at the docks, but it’s important.”

Still flushed, I lifted the stone to my lips. “Yes. I’m here. Zayne too.”

“Good. Because I think you may want to consider turning that boat around.”

My other hand loosened from Zayne’s grip. “What do you mean?”

“I just got here, and guess what? There’s a damnably delightful party going on at Mer.”

Zayne’s brows furrowed. “And you want us to turn around because of a party?”

“Not just any party. Technically, it’s a trade assembly, but there will be balls every night.

Thanks to your convenient destruction of the shades, the Isles need to negotiate human trade, and Mer is hosting.

It’s invitation only, and judging from the other ships here, I’m downright offended that my guild wasn’t on the guest list.”

I pursed my lips. Fae trade with Valterra would bring magical aid to the kingdom. Countless humans would benefit from the surge of fae goods, which improved everything from basic lighting to medicine and agriculture. “Why is this a problem?” I asked.

“Not only are the gates of Mer closed to anybody except sanctioned guests, but consider who you two are. You and Zayne can’t just go prancing about Mer unrecognized when the guest list is this impressive.”

In all of our planning, we never imagined that sneaking around Mer would be part of the problem.

Rhett’s voice crackled. “The Lord of the Dusk Court arrived at the same time as me, and there’s another ship that is definitely from the Court of the Burning Bogs. Even Wisp is accounted for.”

“Sounds important,” I considered.

“And all the more reason for us to be there,” Zayne added. “Everyone is going to be distracted making secret bargains. It’ll be the perfect time to search for the shards and gather information.”

“Or maybe it’s just a sign we’re in over our heads and should turn around,” Rhett countered. “Besides, my friendly Shadow Prince, while Ayla might be relatively unknown amongst fae, you were raised at the Starlit Court. You can’t possibly remain hidden amongst so many nobles.”

“Do not presume to know what I’m capable of.”

Rhett groaned. “You can’t be serious.”

I took in the stern lines of Zayne’s face. “He’s serious. And with his shadows, I think he can handle himself.”

Rhett sighed. “You’re trouble, Ayla, and you’ll owe me for this one, because I already have a plan. You won’t love it, but just... wait there and give me some time.”

“Why didn’t you say that earlier? What are you—”

“Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got work to do.”

The speaking stone went quiet.

For a long moment neither of us spoke until finally Zayne raised an eyebrow. “Do you trust Rhett with your life?”

I palmed the stone. “I do.”

His gaze bored into me, and the tether jostled in my chest.

I scoffed. “Oh, don’t be jealous. Rhett and I have been friends for years. He’s the only one I could trust when I fled Valterra.”

“I’m not jealous, I’m just…” Sighing, he turned to the crow’s nest. “Hey, Vanessa?”

The water sprite looked down from her vantage point, her watery blue skin glistening in the dusky sun. “Yes?”

“Can we anchor nearby? There’s an issue at the ports that Rhett needs to address. Teyr willing, we will be on our way soon.”

“Can do!” Her glowing blue magic dulled, and as the boat’s momentum shifted, I braced against the ship’s railing.

The shift must have stirred Ninti, who padded from the rear of the boat where she’d made her den. “Why are we slowing down?”

“Rhett’s run into trouble,” I began, relaying what little we knew.

As I explained, she walked to the bow, shifting her form until she was large enough to look over its edge. Her fiery gaze flashed as she took in the distant walls of Mer. “Rhett’s plan better work, because I suspect we’re exactly where we need to be.”

Zayne’s lips drew into a line. My heart pounded.

“Incoming!” Vanessa shouted from her crow’s nest.

The ship swayed, and I stumbled. Zayne reached out, grabbing my arm and catching me as water lapped over the edge of the boat. Droplets landed on Ninti’s fur and sizzled.

Above us, Vanessa’s magic brightened as she protected the Umbral Sta r from the surging wake of a passing boat. It rushed by, racing for the port.

The approaching ship, a vast yacht, had clearly been built for luxury.

It towered over us, each deck lined with brilliantly lit balconies.

Even from this distance, I could see the ship was filled with fae dressed in soft fabrics and rich colors, their court far grander, far brighter, than any I had known in Valterra.

Zayne growled, baring his teeth at the larger ship before vanishing into shadows.

I followed his lead, pulling my scarf over my red hair the best I could with my larger antlers. Ninti made herself smaller, diminishing her flames until she appeared to be more dog than wolf.

All the while, unable to help myself, I gawked at the illuminated finery. Some of the guests drank from flutes and others danced as musicians thrummed upon their instruments. There was no doubt these were guests of this so-called trade assembly.

My attention snagged on a fae male perched on the highest balcony.

Tall and imposing, with giant antlers, he glared down at our little boat like we had gotten in his way.

His aging features, creased brows and streaks of gray, did little to downplay his handsome face.

Our gazes caught, and my stomach sickened with the onslaught of his raw power.

My hands heated, light flicking between my fingertips as uncontrolled magic burst forth. I drew my hands into fists and shoved them behind my back, begging my magic to stop.

For a terrible moment, he continued to stare down at me, his expression unreadable. And it was to my great relief when the yacht passed by, forcing his attention toward Mer.

More waves crashed against us as my heart raced, continuing long after the ship was gone.

When Zayne emerged from the shadows, the water sprite turned on him. “Was that who I thought it was?” Vanessa pressed. “I would have charged more for this mission if I had known he’d be involved.”

Zayne’s eyes narrowed on the distant ship, and darkness wavered around his clenched fists. His breath steadied, deepening as it always did when he neared the Underworld.

He’s preparing to fight.

“What is it?” I demanded.

Zayne straightened. “This must be one hell of a party because the Starlit King himself is here.”