As expected, the Midnight Prince was insufferable during our journey. He often made me laugh, as he always did, but he seemed to take great pleasure in making me flustered, particularly when we spoke of Adira.
And when he joked that perhaps he should cajole her into dallying with a fae royal like himself, I almost punched him in the face.
It only took us a few days to reach Allsburg, and dusk had just fallen when we arrived. The sun set much later than I was accustomed to in the Court of Midnight. Adira’s kingdom wasn’t in a constant state of darkness like the Court of Midnight, thanks to the population of humans who diluted the magic of the Night Fae. The sun still rose for a few hours every day here, and it was quite unnerving to be blinded by the sun on our journey when I was accustomed to nothing but darkness. Thankfully, my fae sight allowed me to see perfectly at night, but against the brightness of the sun, I was at a disadvantage. Night Fae magic was in my blood, after all. After just a few hours in the sun, my eyes hurt from squinting, and my skin felt overly hot. The sunset was a relief to my nightborn senses.
A guard greeted us at the familiar glimmering white gates that led to the castle. As the Midnight Emissary announced Fenn’s arrival to the guard, I gazed up at the shimmering fae-stone gates that had once enclosed my home. It had been ages ago… but just looking up at the star-speckled metal that churned with protective spells made me reminiscent of my childhood spent here. My magic swelled to life, recognizing the charms built into the impressive structure. Part of my gift was sensing the fae magic around me. King Reginald might have been human, but he was no fool; even he knew the benefits of using fae crafts to protect his kingdom.
“Announcing Prince Fennick, Crown Prince, and his captain, Sir Marek of the Court of Midnight!” shouted the guard from the top of the tower.
I stiffened at that, shooting an incredulous glance toward Fenn, who grinned at me.
“Captain?” I mouthed.
He shrugged. A loud metallic grating sound pierced the air as the gates were opened for us. Fenn urged his mount closer so he could lean in and mutter, “It isn’t an outright lie. When I am king, I’ll make you my captain. I thought you knew that.”
I could only stare at him, too stunned to speak. Did he really mean that?
Half his mouth quirked upward in a smug smile. “Of course, unless you marry Princess Adira. Then, I shall have to make other plans.”
I struck out with my good leg, aiming a kick at him. He laughed, jerking his horse out of range so my foot hit nothing but air.
With a resounding boom, the gates opened fully, the sound echoing around us. Reginald’s guard beckoned us through, and we nudged our horses onward, passing underneath the gleaming archway.
I fidgeted in my saddle, my palms sweaty as I gripped the reins. My left leg throbbed from being in a stiff position for so long; it would certainly ache like hell for the rest of the day as punishment. But I was used to it.
Truth be told, I was nervous about seeing Adira again. Our last encounter had been a formal ball in the Winter Court one year ago, and I hadn’t had much time to speak with her alone. My injury prevented me from dancing, so when she had been called to the dance floor with various noblemen, I could do nothing but stand by the wall and watch.
Ever since she had come of age two years ago, her life had been consumed by her father’s efforts to marry her off for the good of the kingdom. I was surprised she wasn’t betrothed to anyone yet; usually a crown princess of her age was in some sort of marriage arrangement by now. She would be queen someday, so Reginald would probably not be seeking out an heir like Fenn. It would most likely be a prince or a high-ranking noble.
Stars above, why was I even thinking about this? It didn’t matter who or when Adira married. I would remain her devoted friend no matter what, even if she did end up marrying Fenn.
“If you don’t fix that scowl, it’ll be the first thing she sees,” Fenn muttered from beside me. “And I won’t lie to you, it looks menacing. You’re sure to frighten her off.”
My frown only deepened at that. “What use is a captain who can hardly stand on two legs?”
“What are you talking about?”
“You said you’d make me your captain. I think it’s a poor choice.”
Fenn snorted. “Aren’t you a skilled negotiator? By all means, please convince me why I shouldn’t hire you for this prestigious position.”
“I don’t want any favors,” I bit out, refusing to look at that infuriating glint of amusement I knew was in his gaze. “Or pity.”
Fenn fell silent, and only the clopping of our horses’ hooves broke the silence as we slowly made our way down the winding cobbled road leading up to the portcullis that surrounded the massive stone castle.
The prince was silent for so long that I cast a glance his way. His dark brows were furrowed, his expression uncharacteristically somber. He shook a lock of wavy brown hair out of his eyes and shot me a scrutinizing glance. “If you think it’s pity I feel for you, then I fear I haven’t been a very good friend to you at all.”
My shoulders slumped at that. “Shit. I’m sorry, Fenn.” I scrubbed a hand along my face and suppressed a groan. Around us, rows of neatly trimmed magnolia trees lined the street, filling the air with their flowery fragrance. The smell reminded me of leaping through fields of tall grass with Adira.
So much had changed since then.
It wasn’t Fenn I was upset with. Being here, surrounded by memories of a life I no longer lived, only reminded me of who I could never be. The child who played in these streets had hopes and ambitions, an adulthood full of possibilities.
But one shattered bone at the hands of an iron-wielding enemy had changed all that in an instant.
“Please accept my apologies,” I said in a low voice. “This is the first time I’ve returned here since… well, since my injury. I took out my frustrations on you. I didn’t mean it. You have been nothing but a kind friend to me, and I’m sorry I made you doubt that.”
“Think nothing of it,” Fenn said at once. “I’ve certainly lashed out at you before. It was time you paid me back.” He flashed a good-natured grin that I returned only half-heartedly. After a moment, his expression sobered again. “She’ll be glad to see you, you know. You needn’t worry.”
I nodded. “I know.”
Vibrant green shrubs surrounded a wide, circular courtyard that preceded the portcullis. Various townsfolk milled about, some casting curious looks our way as we trotted past. I straightened in my saddle, trying to look the part of royal captain, but I felt like an imposter.
We crossed the courtyard, and the portcullis lifted at our entrance. I sucked in a breath as we entered the castle grounds, then winced as I dismounted Giselle, ignoring the stab of pain shooting up my leg. Keeping my weight on my right foot, I followed Fenn and the rest of our convoy as we were led up the steps and through the twin oak entrance doors.
We had sent a message just a few days ago announcing our quick visit. As such, I hadn’t expected any formal reception. And yet, it seemed every soldier stood at attention, flanking the massive foyer. I frowned as we passed, noting the increased security. There were never this many guardsmen.
We reached the throne room, and a pair of men pushed the doors open for us. The guard escorting us announced our arrival, then stood back to let us enter. A crimson velvet carpet stretched the length of the room, and a crowd of nobles stood on either side of it, dressed in elegant finery as if King Reginald were throwing a ball in our honor.
Perhaps it would have seemed that way… if not for the solemn expressions of every person we passed. Each step had my frown deepening. Even Fenn’s face was full of wary apprehension as he took note of the somber mood around us.
At long last, we reached the dais where King Reginald sat on his throne. Standing by his side were his daughters. My eyes immediately snapped to Adira, drawn to her of their own accord. She stood regal and elegant by the throne, her curly blond hair pinned up into a braided crown atop her head. A glimmering tiara adorned her hair, with diamond earrings sparkling from her lobes. She wore a peach dress that complimented her complexion, and her hands were clasped demurely before her.
She was the picture of grace and poise. The complete opposite of me.
But something dark and haunted lurked beneath her stoic gaze. It was faint, and I only recognized it because I knew her so well.
When she caught sight of me, her expression brightened, her eyes lighting, and a smile momentarily shattered her queenly demeanor. For a moment, she looked just like the laughing girl I had grown up with. Her eyes crinkled in that way I knew so well, and one dimple appeared in her cheek. It wasn’t her brightest of smiles, which were rare, but it still lifted my heart.
The expression was gone in a flash; after a moment, she composed herself, her face sobering once more. My gaze flicked over her sisters, and my heart lurched in my chest as I realized what was wrong.
Adira had eleven sisters. But only eight of them stood alongside her. I scanned the young women. It had been years since I’d seen some of them, and they’d grown so quickly they were almost unrecognizable.
Before I could puzzle out who was missing, King Reginald stood. He had blond hair that matched Adira’s and warm brown eyes that often looked on me with fondness.
Today, they were dark with anguish.
A sense of foreboding washed over me as Reginald spread his arms to welcome us. “I am relieved you’ve come,” he said, his voice resonating in the vast space. “We are indebted to you for coming to us in our time of need.”
Beside me, Fenn shifted uncertainly, the motion almost imperceptible.
“My daughter tells me she has already asked for your assistance,” Reginald went on, gesturing to Adira. “And not a moment too soon, either. Soon after she had written to you, pleading for your help, the… situation escalated.” He took a shuddering breath, his regal facade crumbling slightly. “My three youngest daughters have gone missing.”