Page 11 of Veil of Shadows (Fae of Woodlands & Wild #2)

CHAPTER 11

We sailed into port after two days at sea, and the energy from my kingdom could be felt even on the open water.

A buzzing sense of excitement filled the air, wafting out to greet us the closer we got to land. The Centennial Matches were only held every hundred summers, and some fae had been training for them just as long.

Others were hoping to qualify based upon their intrinsic magic, and some tried out simply so they could boast that they had. But only those truly skilled in magic, combat, and athletic performance were allowed to compete. And while each winner of every competition was awarded medals and rulibs, it was every competitor’s dream to win the overall competition and be declared the supreme winner of the Centennial Matches. Doing so would ultimately result in receiving a noble title, a large parcel of land, and more rulibs than most fae could ever dream of.

As the royal ship drifted to shore, the wind whipped around us. On the deck beside me, Jax stood in his usual princely attire, and Alec and Trivan were dressed just as finely. Even his guards, Phillen and Lars, looked dashing.

I was similarly dressed, and a silky gown billowed around my legs as the sea air whistled through the masts. Jax had brought the dress to my chambers this morning, an apology in his eyes before he asked me to wear it.

But since I was traveling with the royal party, I wasn’t surprised by the request. I was now expected to dress the part, just as he had to.

“But I won’t force you,” Jax had added gently when he showed me the gown. “However, such formality is usually expected when meeting with the king.”

I’d taken the dress, letting the forest-green silky material slip through my fingers. Part of Jax’s royal duties included seeing King Paevin today, and if I wanted to join them, wearing anything less grand would be considered exceptionally rude.

“Of course, I’ll wear it. I would have expected nothing less.” The gown had thin shoulder straps and minimal bulk in the skirts. It wouldn’t be too hot and would be easy enough to move in. Somehow, Jax had chosen the perfect gown for me. It was regal yet comfortable and was nothing like the gowns my guardian had chosen. “Where did you get it?”

He’d raked a hand through his hair and, if I hadn’t known better, looked slightly unsure. “I had it sewn for you in Jaggedston, just the other day when you learned I was the prince. I knew I wouldn’t be able to free you, and I didn’t know if you would choose to attend formal engagements with me or not, but I hoped that you would eventually, so I had it sewn just in case.”

He hoped that I would?

Those words still rang through my ears as I watched my kingdom grow closer as the ship sailed toward port, and they reminded me of what Alec had claimed. The prince still hadn’t said anything to me about these supposed feelings he harbored, and the impossibility of any future with him kept my lips sealed as well. Even if he did want me, I still wasn’t sure how I felt about being his mistress.

My attention slid to the noble females standing on the deck. Most of them were also watching the approaching wharf. They’d grown less boisterous following the luncheon on our first day at sea but had been no less cruel.

Several times in the previous two days, I’d been cornered when I’d been alone. All of them had found a way to talk to me privately in one form or another. Some had asked incessant questions about the prince to learn what he liked or ways to entrance him. Others had dropped subtle passive-aggressive comments about how inept I was or found ways to remind me that I would never be anything but an enslaved lorafin.

Regardless, I couldn’t wait to never see any of them again.

But despite whatever was growing between Jax and me, I also knew that ultimately, he would still have to wed one of them, and if not someone on this ship, then another.

My stomach tightened, so I hastily inhaled the salty air to distract myself. Clearing my throat, I tried to dispel the ridiculous course of lightning that sped through my veins every time I thought of Jax’s future.

We finally reached the wharf, and the ship’s crew threw long, thick ropes to the workers on the docks. Salty air whipped around us, and the nobles who accompanied us on the trip were already gushing over what they planned to see.

Jax gripped the side of the ship and scanned the crowd on shore. Fae had formed into small groups, watching us from below. It wasn’t every day that a royal from another kingdom visited, and the ship’s elegant sails shining with Stonewild’s crest could be seen for miles from the coast.

A crew member bowed to Jax, then gestured toward two enchanted carpets that flew to us from land. “Your carpets shall be here momentarily, Your Highness.”

The carpets reached the ship and lowered themselves to a comfortable height on the deck. Crew members took all of our luggage and began piling it onto the second, smaller carpet until everything was secured. I couldn’t help but wonder if some of those trunks carried more dresses for me to wear during my time in Faewood Kingdom.

But unlike when Guardian Alleron demanded that I wear such finery, I didn’t feel forced to with Jax. He’d said I had a choice, and some might think me stupid for believing him, but I knew his words had rung true.

Captain Mezzerack hurried forward once the crew finished the task. “Your Highness, your luggage is ready, so you may be off whenever you desire. And might I say that it was my honor to transport you to Faewood for this momentous occasion.” The captain bowed, and the sunlight caught on the tips of his pointed ears.

Jax inclined his head. “Thank you for the safe passage. I’ll be sure to mention to my father how accommodating you were.”

The captain beamed. “You’re too kind.”

Jax stepped onto the awaiting carpet, Phillen and Lars following closely at his sides. Trivan hopped on next, followed by Alec.

When all of the males were on board, Alec leaned down and offered me his hand. “Elowen, may I do the honor of assisting you.”

Since everyone was watching, I automatically fell into the role I’d been groomed to play my entire life. Smiling, I took his hand and made a show of stepping onto the carpet.

I felt, rather than saw, Jax watching. When I glanced at the prince, his lips were pressed together, his gaze glued to where Alec and I held hands.

My throat grew dry, and I licked my lips.

The other noble Houses watched on, all of them waving and calling to their prince to enjoy the Matches. More than a few of the females stared at me enviously or spitefully. Throughout it all, Alec stayed close to my side, but I didn’t mind. The ocean breeze was cool, my dress thin, and the large male sheltered me from any further scornful looks.

Jax eyed us briefly again, then turned stoically. The crown prince of Stonewild stood before me. Regal. Resolute. And entirely foreboding. His public mask had fallen into place again, and he whispered a command to the carpet.

The enchanted carpet lifted beneath us and glided over the ship’s railing. We sailed effortlessly over the docks, and all of the spectators below cheered.

Jax waved to them, his lips curving in a stiff smile. The cheers grew. He kept up the act until we passed the spectators and began flying over the port’s shops and homes, then he dropped his hand.

“How are the other nobles getting to the Matches?” I whispered to Alec.

He shrugged. “Probably a carpet or carriage, but that’s not our concern now. We only have one purpose for this visit.”

To find Bastian.

Jax’s aura swelled, no doubt overhearing us, but his attention fixated on the distant Wood, growing closer with every second that passed. Rolling hills waited just behind it, and the vast distance to Leafton spread out before us.

Jax stood tall, his shoulders back. Tension radiated from him, and I had a feeling his entire focus was now pinpointed on finding his brother.

“It’s best if everyone has a seat,” he called over his shoulder.

We all sat down on the carpet, and the crown prince kneeled on his haunches, then whispered another command. The carpet took off, leaving the small seaside city behind us in a blur of speed. Despite the capital being over a hundred miles inland from the coast, from how fast we were traveling, we would be there within the hour.

Wind rushed over my cheeks, and the familiar sights and sounds of the Wood ahead made my heart soar.

When we reached the Wood, instead of the enchanted carpet dipping down to the Wood’s road, Jax commanded it to stay aloft, and we grazed the tops of the trees.

My jaw dropped at seeing the Wood from this angle. Trees burst from the top of the Wood’s canopy, and leaves of brilliant shades filled my view in an endless carpet of color. Wildlings peered up at us from the top branches, some of their eyes glowing when they beheld the prince at the carpet’s edge.

“Are we going to stay this high up the entire way?” I asked.

Alec winked. “Enjoy traveling with a royal while you can, Elowen. It isn’t often he pulls this kind of rank in a foreign kingdom.”

Any joy I’d felt at flying so high diminished. Jax was trying to get to the Matches as quickly as possible and was doing so in a way that other fae weren’t allowed to. Normally, one had to travel along the road, but as the crown prince, the rules didn’t apply to him. Like King Paevin, he could travel where he wanted, when he wanted, as he wanted.

“Does he not normally travel like this?” I leaned closer to Alec since Jax seemed lost in thought as he stared straight ahead.

Alec shook his head. “He will if his father’s with him, but believe it or not, Jax doesn’t like to flaunt his royal status. We usually travel as others do. Granted, we have nicer carpets to choose from and usually the best domals, but our prince doesn’t boast of his privilege. Not usually, at least.” The tall fairy gave his friend a worried glance.

I hesitantly inched forward on the carpet until I sat closer to Jax. Before I considered what I was doing, I laid a hand on his arm.

The prince’s entire body tensed, and he glanced my way. Blazing emotion shone in his eyes, like swirling stars circling in our magical galaxy.

“We’ll find him, Jax. We won’t rest until we do.” Beneath my palm, his bicep felt warm and hard. A tingle shot up my arm.

“It’s been over five days since you saw him in the Veiled Between, Elowen. Who’s to say if he’s even?—”

I squeezed him. “I know, but we’ll find him. We will.”

The aura around the prince grew. He glanced at my hand again, and some of the lines around his eyes smoothed. For the first time since stepping onto the carpet, the tension radiating from him lessened. “Do you know anything else about where Bastian could be? Any details? Any specific location? Anything more than what you told me previously?”

I furrowed my brow as I thought back to what the semelees had shown me. “He was in a building, maybe a barn? The floor was dirt, and I remember seeing hay.”

“A barn.” He shook his head. “There have got to be dozens of those at the Matches.”

“There are.” I cocked my head, then my eyes widened. “Wait, I remember watching the wildlings a few weeks ago setting up the equipment. They were erecting a barn near the arena where one of the competitions will be held.” I closed my eyes, picturing again what the semelees had revealed. My hope grew when another key detail came to me. I opened my eyes to find Jax watching me intently, his gaze focused on my mouth.

I released my lower lip, not realizing I’d been nibbling it. “I think we should start with the barns directly around the Matches, specifically the newer ones. When they showed me Bastian, if I recall correctly, the wooden planks behind him looked freshly constructed.”

A new lightness shone in the prince’s eyes. For the first time that morning, a small smile curved his lips. “Then that’s where we’ll start.”

The palace came into view not long later. It was a dazzling display rising from the Wood as the pale-green sky shone clear and cloudless. Everyone’s attention focused on the royal structure, but I couldn’t help but look southward, toward Emerson Estate.

My former guardian’s estate lay only a few miles from the palace. Its gray stone exterior, with blue and green vines crawling up the sides, was visible from this high up.

That’s a cage I will never inhabit again.

But I couldn’t help but think of Lillivel and wonder where she was. Without me to dote on and Guardian Alleron absent, I wondered if she even had a job any more. Perhaps she ended up like Mushil and had been fired. Whatever the case, seeing my former home made me realize that such a life was now far, far behind me.

Tears threatened to sting my eyes as I thought of the fae who’d been kind to me. I knew I’d likely never see them again, and not wanting to think about that, I shifted my attention to the palace.

Soaring peaks from the castle’s turrets and spires grew larger the closer we flew to it. Smooth white stone walls covered its entire exterior. Banners in turquoise and white, bordered with dark-brown accents, hung from the windows.

The opulent white structure was so different from Stonewild palace’s black monstrosity.

My stomach clenched when I remembered the last time I’d set eyes upon this place. It’d been the night of my abduction following the three callings I’d done for the king. That was the night Jax had come into my life.

I glanced at him, but his attention hadn’t wavered from what lay ahead. As before, when I’d been watching the Matches being set up by the wildlings, the grounds were awash in activity, except now, all of the structures were built and only minor construction appeared to be underway.

A full-sized arena, with a sandy floor and tiered seating, waited just west of the palace. The last time I’d seen that, the wildlings had been devising ways to move the sand as Lillivel and I had observed them from afar.

A pang filled me when I thought again of my attendant, but the carpet abruptly headed east, toward a maze that had been cut into the Wood. The new sights helped to distract me once more. Solid walls, netting, and obstacles could be seen from above. But some of the maze was covered, rendering the inside entirely dark.

Other structures had also been built. The large lake, north of the castle, now had soaring platforms surrounding it. Hoops were suspended in the air over the water, held by magic, and within the lake, a few fins cut through its surface.

I shivered, thinking what creatures had been shipped in from the Adriastic Sea to fill those waters.

Forcing my attention away from the splendor and impressive structures, I began to search for barns.

Jax and his friends did the same. All of us shielded our eyes from the bright sun as the enchanted carpet sped toward the activity.

“There’s one.” I pointed southwest of the palace to a newly erected barn. Outside of it, corrals with simple fences held dozens of domals and other creatures from the Wood. A large roar abruptly cut through the morning sky.

“Stars Above. Do they have a larpanoon fenced in by the domals?” Alec gave a soft laugh. “Fools. If that thing gets loose, it’ll eat all of the domals for breakfast, and then all of the nearby fae for lunch.”

“Hopefully it won’t be as bad as the last Centennial Matches.” Trivan snickered. “One of those got loose and attacked several nobles from Ironcrest, nearly killed them and would have if one of them hadn’t been so powerful. He took the creature’s eyesight, allowing them a few moments to get away. If he hadn’t, they would have all died.”

I glanced at the huge larpanoon. It roamed in a lone pen near the domals, who all appeared skittish and continually whinnied.

The creature was generally only found in the northern Wood. It had powerful low hunches, tall withers, and long whiskers on its snout. Razor-sharp teeth hung from its gums. It generally inhabited caves in the rocky terrain of the Clawfur Mountain range in Mistvale. Occasionally, however, larpanoons would wander into northern villages and terrorize fae.

Larpanoons were some of the most feared creatures on our continent, and for good reason. Their teeth were not only sharp enough to cut through steel, but they were coated in a deadly venom, and their claws could rip through any magic. Even powerful fae with superior Shielding abilities, were no match for the fierce creatures.

“Smart move to remove its eyesight,” I murmured, “although I dread to think what games the king has in store for any fae arrogant enough to battle one. What do you think they’re going to do with it?” I angled my head toward the males.

Phillen shrugged. “That, Elowen, is what I’m wondering as well. I wouldn’t mind sticking around to see what your king has planned for the poor fae who end up in the arena with that thing.”

Trivan muttered a similar sentiment, and even Alec looked intrigued, but Jax didn’t even glance toward the corrals. All of his focus had zeroed in on the barn.

From the intent way he was studying it, I couldn’t help but wonder if he was trying to distinguish who the fae were walking around the outside perimeter. We were still too far away to see anyone clearly, but I didn’t spot any half-breeds with antlers.

“Are we going straight to that barn?” I asked Jax.

He frowned, then sighed heavily. His hand cut through his dark hair in an irritated stab. “We can’t. I have to make an appearance at the palace first to see the king. Since I’m here, attending as a royal, certain expectations are required of me, but the second I can get away, we’ll head there.”

“What do you want me to do?”

He shifted to face me, and his brow furrowed. Sunlight sparkled in his cerulean irises, and for the first time since we boarded the carpet, his gaze softened. “That depends entirely upon you. I won’t ask you to do anything you’re uncomfortable with, but considering that you know the king, and he is quite fond of you, that could prove problematic.”

I angled my head upward. “What’s your plan?”

“Well, I had an idea.” He leaned down and whispered it in my ear. My eyes grew rounder with every word he uttered. Straightening, he gazed down at me, his look intent and slightly...wild. Once again, that savage emotion clouded around him. “It’s up to you, but are you willing?”

My heart pounded as I was again reminded of what Alec had told me, but I managed to nod. “I can do that.”

A slow-spreading grin emerged on his face, yet all I could do was wonder how much harder this would make things come next summer.