Chapter Thirty-Two

Salome

My maid helped me into my dress, and I lifted my hair up out of the way so she could button it. When I did, I heard a loud gasp behind me.

“For the love of Faerie,” she whispered.

“What’s wrong?”

“I think you ought to have a look at this, Your Highness.” She spun me around then gave me a hand held mirror.

I tilted my hand held mirror until I saw my neck. There, spiraling up the back of my neck, were more golden tattoos. Only these ones looked like tiny maple leaves. “Um—how did I get them?”

“I don’t know—but that’s the mark of the Autumn Court. It means you’re to be their next queen, but I don’t understand how this is possible. Their king has been dead for many years. Autumn has always been ruled by the male line.”

I set the mirror on my vanity. My eyes widened when I remembered Darach’s light kiss on the base of my neck last night. Had that triggered it?

“Listen, can we just keep this between us for now? At least until I can figure out what it means?”

“As you wish, Your Majesty.” She curtsied then finished buttoning my dress. “I’ll let Lady Gwenn know you’re ready for your walk.”

“Thank you.” When she scurried off, I let out a relieved breath and made sure my hair covered my newest Faerie ink. Geez, if I kept this up I’d be tattooed from head to toe. All I needed now was a leather jacket and a motorcycle. I frowned. The thoughts of motorcycles brought with it the image of Gareth and prom night, when he’d picked me up on his and then we’d spent the whole night dancing on the beach beneath the moonlight. It seemed so long ago and yet just like it was yesterday. I hated that he wasn’t here with me, that we had to pretend he was my guard and nothing more—although, for the last couple of days Nevin had had him working with the younger soldiers. By day he helped with training, and at night he was assigned to me.

Gwenn strolled into my room and leaned against the wall.

I turned my head so she couldn’t see the tears as I hurried to brush them away. If nothing else, I had to pretend to be strong.

“So where do you want to go today?” she asked.

With a shake of my head, I cleared my mind and pasted a grin on my face. “I’ve wanted to go through the labyrinth since I got here.” At last, I moved across the floor until I stood in front of her.

She rolled her eyes. “You’re queen now and the best thing you can think of to do is run through a damn maze?”

“Please?”

“Ugh. Fine. But I’m not going in. I’ll wait at the exit for you.”

“Are you chicken?”

She snorted. “No. But I used to play in there when I was a kid—I’ve outgrown it.”

My lips twitched. “Whatever—I’ll have you know it’s okay to have fun every now and then.”

“Then let me know when you need a sparring partner. Maybe tomorrow we can challenge a couple of guards to a fight or something.” Her fingers traced the hilt of her weapon.

We made our way into the gardens until we stood at the entrance of the hedge maze. My gaze traveled over the thick greenery.

“Come on, I might get lost. You don’t want to have to come find me at midnight, do you?”

“Fine, I’ll go with you, but only because Nevin would have my head if I lost the queen.” She followed me in the entrance. “Don’t run too far ahead of me.”

I grinned. “I won’t.”

The sun warmed the top of my head as I slipped into the labyrinth. I ran forward, zig-zagging right, then left, then right again. Within moments, I ran into a dead end. I backtracked and took a left then another left. I came to a fork in the maze.

“So which way should I go?”

She rolled her eyes. “You’re the one who wanted to do this.”

Gwenn stood with her arms crossed, watching me. Obviously she wasn’t going to be any help.

Okay, this looked way easier from above. I chose the middle path and came to a bench with a stone fountain sitting next to it. Beyond the spouting water, I saw another path. Climbing roses grew along the maze walls here, adding splashes of pink and scarlet.

This kind of reminded me of the corn maze Kadie and I had done our sophomore year during a Halloween Festival in town. Of course, she and I were the last ones to come out, but only because Lon Pinder, who was dressed as a werewolf, chased us until we ended up turned around.

I laughed at the memory. Luckily for her, she’d come to her senses where he was concerned. The guy had been a total druggie and no good for her. It always astounded me how she picked up some of the worst douchebags. She should be home from college for the holidays now—probably basking in a hot tub with Zac or some other piece of eye candy. My eyes welled. Man, I missed her.

“Look what we have here.” Rowena stepped out from behind an apple tree situated between two hedgerows. “They left the queen all alone.”

“She’s not alone.” Gwenn drew her sword and went to stand between us.

But with a swipe of her hand, Rowena sent Gwenn sailing through the air and into a nearby statue. Her weapon skidded across the ground, her body still. My eyes widened as I waited for her to move, but she didn’t.

Hands shaking, I backed up, running into the side of the labyrinth. “What do you want?”

Her too-red lips turned up into a wicked smile. “That’s easy. Your death.”

My pulse raced. “Stay the hell away from me.”

“Or what, human? You are powerless against me. You see, you took something from me—or rather someone.”

“You mean Nevin?”

Her eyes narrowed. “Yes, of course. I was supposed to be his queen. We courted before you came along, and he would’ve chosen me had you not come to Faerie.”

Shit. She’s out of her freaking mind. I glanced at the path to my left. Would I have enough time to make a run for it?

But before I managed to move, she raised her hands. Green light sparked from her fingertips, lighting the air like sparklers on the Fourth of July. Vines uncurled from the walls and slithered like snakes. I turned to run, but the long green vegetation caught hold of my ankles, jerking me to the ground. They crept up my legs. Darach appeared next to me.

“Salome, get up. Run!”

I crawled back on my hands and feet. In one swift movement, Darach wrapped his arms around me. Dizziness washed over me, and my stomach churned. Everything blurred for a moment. A second later, we were in a different part of the maze.

“Darach…? What happened?”

He looked as confused as I felt. “I think I just transported you.”

“Thank you—”

But before I could give him my gratitude, a part of the hedge separated from the rest. I gulped as I realized that Rowena sat atop a lion made of shrubs and plants. Its crimson eyes glowed brighter than embers.

“Get her!” she ordered.

The beast opened its mouth, and when it roared, flames shot out, scorching the ground in front of me.

“Go.” Darach shoved me down another walkway.

Crap.

I’m gonna die. I’ll be killed by a flipping labyrinth.

“Gwenn,” I screamed, running into a dead end. Was she even still alive? If so, I hoped she heard me, or that someone else in the palace did. My legs trembled as I turned to face my nemesis.

Rowena laughed, her hands pulsating with light once more. Vines shot out of the hedgerows, and this time I couldn’t dodge them. The long ropes of greenery caught hold of my neck, wrapping around my throat.

I gagged. My fingers pried at the vegetation as they tightened like a boa constrictor.

I can’t breathe.

Frantic, I slid down the wall, dots dancing before my eyes. No. It can’t end like this. It can’t.

“Fight it, Salome.” Darach’s hands grabbed for the plants. “It’s not your time. You can’t let her win. Fight it,” he whispered in my ear.

My hands fell to the ground; my fingers dug into the dirt.

No. I won’t let her kill me.

A burst of light filled the labyrinth—almost like rays of sunlight—and lightning struck the earth. At that moment, the ground shook beneath me. A crack formed and surged toward Rowena until a great chasm opened up and swallowed her up to her neck.

Holy shit! What’d I just do?

She shrieked, and the vines around my neck loosened, allowing me to start tugging them free.

“Salome,” Gwenn hollered. She hacked through a section of the maze. When she emerged, I saw the blood along the side of her forehead. She glanced at Rowena then rushed to my side to help untangle me from the plants. “Whoa, what happened?”

I sucked in several deep breaths. “She attacked me, and I—I…”

Rowena’s hand clasped the side of the hole, and she tried to pull herself out. “You won’t win—he’ll never love you.”

Something glinted in the air, and I watched in horror as she released a dagger. It sailed toward my head. I rolled to the side, acting more on instinct than conscious thought, and fortunately I moved fast enough that the blade missed me and stuck into the bushes behind me.

Anger surged inside me. The earth rumbled beneath my feet once more. This time the dirt filled the deep ditch I created, like a cave in.

“No.” Rowena’s eyes widened. “She’ll bury me alive.”

“Good, it’s no less than you deserve.” Gwenn raised her sword.

“No, she deserves much more than that,” Nevin said as he appeared along with Gareth. “You made an attempt on my queen’s life. You’re a traitor and will be treated as such. Gwenn, hand me your dagger.”

Rowena cried out. “No. You can’t mean what I think you do. I won’t survive.”

“You should be glad that’s all he does, because if it were me, I’d have your head.” Gareth seethed, his gaze intent on me. “Are you okay?”

“I think so.”

“I heard your cry for help and came as quickly as I could. I should’ve gotten here sooner.”

“I’m fine—please don’t worry.”

Nevin glowered as he took the blade from Gwenn. He reached forward and let the knife slice across Rowena’s shoulder—one of the only body parts not covered in dirt. He then reached down and laid his palm against her skin.

“Rowena Thornwood, I hereby strip you of all your powers. And from this day forward, you are banned from the Kingdom of Summer for your crimes against the queen.”

A stream of light filtered from Rowena as if her very essence was being vacuumed out. She shrieked, her eyes wide with both fear and hatred. When Nevin finished, two of his guards lumbered through the hole in the hedges that Gwenn had created.

“Give her a change of clothes and a pack with food, then take her beyond our borders and leave her.”

“Yes, Your Highness.” They bowed and went to dig her out.

Gareth glanced at me, then at Rowena. “I should help them.”

“Go. I’ll be fine.”

At last, Nevin turned to me. My legs wobbled beneath me.

“It’s okay, I’ve got you now.” He took my hand and helped me stay on my feet.

“Sh-she tried to kill me.”

“I know. I’m sorry I didn’t get here sooner. Come. I’ll take you back to your room.”

“But Gareth…”

Gareth looked at me from where he was kneeling to help the guards with Rowena. “Go. I’ll stay here to ensure this monster never has a chance to hurt you again.”

I nodded at him, then at Nevin, and he guided me out of the labyrinth, where a small crowd of people had gathered.

“Now there can be no doubt that you belong to Summer,” Nevin said. “Your powers are growing stronger, Salome.”

“I don’t understand how.”

“Shhh…we have plenty of time to talk of it later—in private.” Nevin made his way into the palace and upstairs without so much as breaking a sweat. At last, we arrived in my room. He set me on my bed then proceeded to tuck me in. “You need to rest—using that much power all at once, and without another Fae anchor, can drain you.”

“I’ll be fine.” I gave him a shaky smile.

“You scared the hell out of me today.”

“He’s not the only one,” Darach said over his shoulder. His gaze met mine; worry lines were painted on his ghostly head.

“If you want, I can stay a while.” Nevin touched my face, forcing me to look at him.

“I’ll be okay. I promise. Besides, I think you’ve got to break some bad news to the Council about Rowena.”

He groaned. “Yeah, that’ll go well.” He gave me one last hug, then stood to go. “I’m posting three guards outside your chambers, so if you need something, let them know.”

When he finally left, Darach drifted to my side. The mattress dipped with his pressure as he sat down next to me.

I slid forward, lifted my hair, and bent down to reveal the tattoo that adorned my neck. “Can you tell me what this means?”

He exhaled loudly as his fingers traced it. “It means, if I was alive, you’d be the Autumn Queen and rule beside me.”

“Wait a second, I’m already marked by Nevin and Summer—how did this happen?”

He glanced down at me. “I don’t know, but I’ve told you from the beginning there’s something special about you.”

“We need to find out what’s going on and soon.”

“Are you going to tell Nevin?”

With a sigh, I scooted against my headboard, resting my head against the cool wood. “No. Not yet. I want to keep you a secret, for now.” At least until I knew what this could mean. I’d just started to get accustomed to this new situation. Telling Nevin about Darach might throw everything back into chaos.

He grinned. “Hmmm…this could be fun. Think of all the havoc we could wreak. Maybe we could cause a stir in the council meetings. Or we could try and best another Summer Warrior.” He reached over and tugged on a strand of my hair.

I shifted my gaze. “As fun as that sounds, I think I should probably just rest now.”

“You’re right. Sweet dreams, my queen.”

Darach’s form faded and disappeared, leaving me with yet another unanswered question. What did this second tattoo mean?

I sat on the throne beside Nevin as the Summer Council stormed into the room. Lord Ballock led the group, his face crimson and his eyes narrowed.

“Is it true, Your Highness? Did you banish Lady Rowena?” he asked.

Nevin glanced at them as if they were nothing more than a swarm of gnats there to annoy him. “Yes. She’s lucky that’s all I did.”

“The Council should’ve been a part of this decision. We can’t just have our nobles dismissed without a hearing.”

“She had her hearing, in front of me—when I caught her trying to murder my queen. And, may I add, your queen as well.” Nevin stood, came to my side, and tilted my chin to reveal the burn marks along my neck made by the vines. “The Council may offer advice, but I am still King, Lord Ballock.”

“I beg your pardon.” He bowed, gaze darting to the other Council members who remained quiet. “Rowena wouldn’t have attacked, Your Highness—she’s been with the Council for so long. She knows our kingdom needed a queen. Many of us thought for sure you’d choose her.”

“Are you calling me a liar?” Nevin glowered. “Because I assure you, I wouldn’t have acted against Rowena had she not done something. And if the Council doesn’t want what’s best for our kingdom or our queen, then perhaps it’s time to do away with this archaic government.”

Gasps went up in the small crowd of nobles, and several of them paled.

One of the other lords stepped forward. “Lord Ballock doesn’t speak for all of us, Your Highness. You have the majority support in this.”

Six of the others raised their hands to indicate they were a part of this majority. Only three, including Ballock, seemed opposed to the decision.

“Thank you, Lord Maelen.” Nevin returned to his throne.

Lord Ballock opened his mouth to say more, but Nevin held up his hand, gesturing for Gareth to come forward. “Do you have reports on our soldiers?”

“Yes, Your Highness. We’ve had over five hundred new recruits come in in the last couple of days from the outer borders of our kingdom. Most are younger, but they’re willing to fight. They have rudimentary skills, but I believe with a little time, we can have them battle ready.”

“Very good. Please keep me updated as to their progress. Lord Maelen, could you please send word to some of our farmers that we’ll be looking to buy more corn, oats, and vegetables? We need to make sure we have enough food on hand to feed our army and our people, should it come to that.”

“Of course, Your Highness.”

“Now, if the Council is quite finished, there are things that we need to be doing. Please know that if any of you reach out to Rowena or I hear that you’ve communicated with her, you will be joining her in her banishment. Is that understood?”

They nodded their understanding, but I could tell by the tight lips and glares that they weren’t all happy with this. I hoped they didn’t cause more trouble down the line for us.

My gaze moved to Gareth’s tall frame, taking in his beautiful eyes. Having him in here with us brought me a strange reassurance that everything would be okay, at least for today. But I quickly turned away. I couldn’t let on that I had feelings for him, especially not in front of the Council, who were already looking for reasons to have me and Nevin overthrown.