With my heart still rammed up my throat, I turned back toward home, defeated. I never should have disobeyed Aidan. I’d come much too close to my bitter end, and for what? A chance to see the mighty King Elian? After only a brief encounter with those Light Fae, I was certain I’d be content if I never had to lay eyes on a Fae again.
Only, fate had other plans for me.
In two years time, I’d be gifted to one of the lords of the court and suffer a cruel future beneath their heel.
I couldn’t… I refused.
As I marched toward the edge of the Feywood Forest, I vowed to double my hours of training with Aidan. I’d hone my skills until they could stand against the mystical ones of the Fae. Because when that Fae lord came for me, I would fight. I would kill him or die trying.
Once I was freed of the murky forest, I slowed my rushed pace. Better to encounter someone I knew along the well-traveled path home than risk another encounter with one of the king’s guards.
With my thoughts in a tangle, I missed the turn on the road and found myself at the edge of the village marketplace. The familiar bustling sounds eased the tense set of my shoulders. Curses. Now I’d have to circle the town center if I wanted to avoid the masses, and that would only put me in closer proximity to the forest. Perhaps, plowing straight through was my best option at this point.
Quickening my step, I blazed a hurried path through the motley assortment of vendors. By the time I reached the center, surrounded by wooden carts teeming with vegetables and freshly baked bread, the turmoil in my chest had subsided.
Hundreds of Kin had already gathered for the chance to sneak a peek at the great King of the Ethereal Court. Little did they know he was surrounded by blood-thirsty royal guardians. I could only imagine what that made the king.
Surely, he was just as awful as his faithful guards.
Still, despite my brain telling me to continue home, my feet slowed as I met the gathered crowd.
Maybe just one peek… then I’d go straight home. Perhaps, if I remained on the outskirts no one would see me. I crept behind a tall male, one of the Kin I recognized from mornings plowing the barley fields. He was large enough to hide behind and so enthralled by the scene, he’d never glance back in my direction.
A flash of light raced across the sky, and every nerve-ending in my body stood at attention. The rush of glittering gold eclipsed the looming twilight and lit up the darkening blue. The air pulsed, and my heart beat out a manic rhythm. Dozens of Light Fae appeared, soaring overhead, their ethereal wings setting the sky ablaze.
“I thought that was you, Aelia.” A familiar voice flitted across the shell of my ear.
I startled, whirling around. “Oh, hello, Edgert.”
“Sorry, if I frightened you.” A rosy hue blossomed across his cheeks, matching the deep auburn of his hair. Edgert and I had attended school together since we were mere children.
I waved a nonchalant hand. “Oh, no, not at all. You just surprised me.” I moved a few steps farther behind the line of the eagerly awaiting spectators.
Edgert’s head tipped back, eyes lifting to the mystical show above.
The horde of Light Fae soared across the sky, their wings shimmering with a brilliance that rivaled the morning sun. Each Fae radiated a luminescent glow, leaving trails of golden light in their wake that painted the heavens with streaks of radiance. Their gossamer wings flapped in perfect harmony, creating a symphony of soft, melodic hums that echoed through the air.
At the end of the dazzling procession flew King Elian of Ether, the majestic ruler of the Court of Ethereal Light. Goosebumps rippled over my flesh as I took him in. His presence was all-consuming, his regal form wrapped in robes that glimmered with celestial hues of silver and gold. The king's wings were larger and more magnificent than those of his followers, reflecting a spectrum of colors that cascaded like a waterfall of light with every beat.
Even at this distance, the king’s overwhelming beauty was evident. His features seemed crafted from the purest light, casting an aura of soft luminescence. His glistening platinum hair flowed like liquid gold, spilling over his shoulders. Twin spheres of pure turquoise caught my attention, gleaming beneath the setting sun. Their luminosity was otherworldly. I could have sworn his dazzling turquoise orbs swiveled in my direction as he paraded past, and the faintest pucker drew his light brows together as he regarded me.
An unearthly chill skated up my spine.
“He truly is splendid, isn’t he?” Edgert whispered as the pageant of light dipped beyond the horizon.
“I suppose…”
My friend’s gaze snapped in my direction. “You do not believe so?”
“He certainly is something to look at, but I only wonder what kind of man he is.”
Edgert chuckled. “I’m sure he’s like all the other high Fae, only worse.”
“Exactly! So why must we bow down to them? Why must we be forced to do their bidding?”
He shrugged, sliding his hands into his worn trousers. “Because that is simply the way, Aelia. It has been for centuries. And besides, at least they keep us safe from the creatures beyond Feywood.”
The Wilds.
Sometimes I wondered if it wasn’t all just an elaborate tale spun by the royals to keep us under their fists. “Have you ever seen one of those monsters? Or has anyone you know?”
He slowly shook his head. “No, but why else would the king make such a big to do about flying south to slay them?”
“To keep us all tractable and compliant.”
A rueful chuckle slid past Edgert’s lips. “You always were a spirted one, Aelia. I remember how you used to question our professors in class all those years ago. But what happened to the third court? Why did the Two Hundred Years War last so long? Why are the Fae’s ears pointed?” He continued to mimic me until I jabbed my elbow into his side.
“Enough already. Is there something wrong with questioning information you’re supposed to blindly swallow as truth?”
He shrugged again. “No, I suppose not.” Lacing his arm through mine, he tugged me through the already thinning crowd. “Come, I’ll walk you home. It seems the show has ended for the night.”
And what a show it had been.
We strolled through the busy marketplace, the squawk of chickens and the bleating of angry goats creating a cacophony against the merchants’ excited murmurs. The outpouring of Kin had the quiet marketplace bustling with customers. I remained in Edgert’s shadow as much as possible, hoping I wouldn’t catch the eye of any of my adoptive father’s acquaintances. In our household, I was the one who frequently toted the eggs our hens produced to the village market to sell. But today, everyone seemed too concerned with the spectacle to pay me much attention. Thank the gods.
“Why didn’t Aidan accompany you tonight?”
It was as if he’d plucked the thought right from my mind. “Actually, I’d appreciate it if you didn’t mention seeing me this evening. He didn’t want me to attend.”
“Why ever not?”
My shoulders slowly lifted. “He hates everything having to do with Fae.”
“I suppose that’s reason enough.” He paused and his gaze flickered in my direction. “Then why did you come?”
“I cannot even explain it. It was as if my feet had guided me here of their own accord.” It was as if some force had taken control of my body when I discovered the Light Fae would be near, and I had no other choice but comply.
It was a longing coursing through my blood, compelling my mind and body.
“Curiosity, I suppose,” said Edgert.
“Yes…” But it was more than that. I simply couldn’t explain the feeling. It seemed like fate, but that made no sense at all. Nothing good had come of today. It only served to further confirm my original sentiments that the Fae were horrible.
“Would you care to stroll along the lake?” A twinkle of mischief sparked in his light eyes.
Edgert had been my first kiss at the age of sixteen. We sporadically spent time together, and I’d allow an occasional kiss, but he’d made his feelings for me clear, whereas I could not quite put a finger on mine.
It was not that I didn’t find him attractive, it was only that his kisses never elicited the burning passion I’d heard tales about. Some of my female friends who were fortunate enough not be sold off to Fae were already betrothed. They’d been with a male or two at least by my age. But somehow, it simply never felt right. There was no spark, no fire, nothing.
I heaved out a breath and realized I hadn’t responded to Edgert. “Not today, I’m afraid. I should return home before Aidan notices I’m missing.”
“Very well, Aelia.” He turned toward the narrow looping path that circled back to the edge of the Feywood Forest.
Most Kin lived as close to the village as their resources allowed, but Aidan preferred to stay as far away from civilization as possible. I’d never quite understood why. It only made the trips into the center of town more difficult for me. He insisted he valued his privacy and living along the outskirts was the best way to accomplish that.
A brilliant blast of light illuminated the dusky sky, whipping my gaze to the south. Edgert followed my line of sight, then scowled. “I thank the gods every day I’m destined to spend my life tilling the fields of Feywood. Fae or not, those royal guardians risk their lives to protect us.”
I nearly snorted. “Trust me, they are not quite as gallant as they seem.”
“Aelia, you cannot seriously prefer a life like theirs? One of constant battle? You’d be staring death in the face on a daily basis.”
“Maybe I would. At least I would have a choice in my destiny, instead of being forced into a life of servitude.”
He shook his head, a rueful smile parting his lips. “Well, then, Aelia, you are certainly made of tougher mettle than I. I would never—”
A sharp screech interrupted his words, sending our gazes skyward. The air whipped up, and a thunderous pulse pounded just over our heads.
“What in all the realms?”
An immense shadow streaked across the darkening landscape, and I tipped my head back, my jaw nearly unhinging. A creature made of pure night streaked over the forest, sleek black scales glistening beneath the final rays of sunlight. Shadows danced across its massive form, concealing the beast in inky coils of midnight.
“What is that?” I hissed.
Edgert’s head was tipped so far back, his chin nearly hit the sky. “I—I believe that is a dragon…”
“But it can’t be!” I squealed. According to our history lessons, they were nearly driven to extinction after the Two Hundred Years War. The dragons, along with the entire population of the third Fae court, the Court of Infernal Night.
“And from the looks of it, he’s toting a Shadow Fae.”
Another chill crawled up my spine, and goosebumps cascaded down my arms. What an eventful evening it had been… to catch a glimpse of a Shadow Fae as well as Light. The mere idea of a Shadow Fae was ten times more frightening than their light counterpart, and I’d already experienced what they were capable of.
“Do you think it’s after King Elian?” I muttered.
“Maybe…” He scratched at the light stubble on his chin. “Let the Fae deal with their own political squabbles, we have enough to worry about.”
While it was true, I couldn’t help my thoughts from spiraling. We’d always been forced into submission with the threat of the Wilds looming over our heads. The Fae protected us, so in turn, we were forced to bow down to them, to do their will.
What if it none of it were true?
“Aelia, don’t even think about it.”
“Think about what?”
He stopped midstride and spun at me. “I know you better than you think. You must not even consider traveling out there into the Wilds. It’s much too dangerous.”
“I wasn’t…” I shook my head. I would never be stupid enough to risk it now, but when I turned twenty and that Fae lord came for me, I might feel differently on the subject.
For now, I would find out as much as I could about the treacherous land to our south and bide my time, honing my battle skills. When the time came, I would be ready.
* * *
To read more of Aelia’s story, you can find Crown of Light and Shadows by GK DeRosa!
An epic romantasy must-read for fans of Fourth Wing and ACOTAR... Get ready to meet your next Shadow Daddy!
A powerless outcast thrust into a brutal Fae academy.
Her ruthless instructor caught between duty and desire.
A forbidden love foretold to spark the kingdom’s absolute ruin.
On the day of my twentieth birthday, a brutally handsome Shadow Fae darkens my doorway and whisks me away to an elite Fae academy. The problem is I’m not Fae, and I certainly don’t have any magical powers.
Despite this, I’m thrust into a realm where magic is as vital as breath and far more dangerous.
Thrown into an academy teeming with powerful Fae, I must navigate the treacherous waters of magical education, summon my dormant powers and battle merciless fellow students to prepare to face the rival Arcanum Citadel across the river. Home to the treacherous Shadow Fae, the end of the year battle determines our fate.
More dangerous still is the mysterious connection with my ruthless, enigmatic Shadow Fae professor. As he begrudgingly mentors me in the ways of Light magic, our growing relationship becomes a forbidden attraction that neither of us can deny.
As my powers unfurl and the boundary between light and dark blurs, a deeper threat emerges: a secret prophecy that could ignite war. The shaky peace between the courts trembles, and I'm faced with a choice that could alter the fate of our realm.
I stand at the precipice, the key to averting a bloodbath—or igniting an all-consuming fire.