Page 1 of Kingdom of Faewood

CHAPTER 1

My calendar hung on the wall of my bed chambers, and I tallied the remaining days and months until I was free.

Only one full season, eight months, and eleven days until my freedom is won.

A small smile spread across my lips, and a sense of determination slid through me. Thecallingthis afternoon would be exhausting, but I’d likely fall into a deep sleep afterward, which meant the day would pass even faster. Then, I would be one day closer to the day that marked my freedom—the day my collar was removed and the supernatural courts deemed me safe to decide my own fate, making me a slave no more.

“Look at all this fuss,” my lady’s attendant called from across the room. She stood at the window, watching the activity across the valley as the curtain swirled around her.

My grin grew as humid air and a warm breeze brushedacross my cheeks. I slashed a mark through the previous day on my calendar, then joined her at the window.

Across the valley, atop the largest hill, the palace waited. The soaring white stone walls of the king’s residence shone like ivory in the sun, and beyond that, the distant buildings from the capital shimmered near the Wood’s edge.

But my attention focused on the land near the palace grounds. A huge section of the Wood had been cleared for the Centennial Matches. Fences stood half-erected. Partly constructed mazes resembled piles of firewood. Circular arena floors waited for sand to fill them. Most fae in our kingdom were eagerly anticipating the Matches.

“Have you watched any of this today, Elowen?” Claws tipped each of Lillivel’s fingers, and they flashed in the morning sunlight when she clasped her hands behind her back. “They’re nearly done with all of the construction for the Matches, from the looks of it. It’s hard to believe in only a month they’ll begin.”

“I’ve watched a bit. It’s hard not to when they wake me up each morning.” I gazed out the window at her side. “Looks like the stadium is finally complete, but those buckets of sand look heavy.”

“The poor dears.” Lillivel sighed. “Such a struggle.”

I winced. “I have to say I agree.” The monstrous stadium being erected was constructed of wood and stone, and it would be a miracle if the wildling fae hauled all of the sand insidebefore the Centennial Matches’ Final selection process began next week. “That looks near impossible to finish.”

Lillivel released another sigh. “If only King Paevin would call in a siltenite from Mistvale Kingdom, then all of the work could be done so quickly with telekinetic magic.” Lillivel frowned, her furry brows drawing together.

I snorted quietly. “I doubt King Paevin’s ego would allow him to request help from another kingdom.”

The king had hired wildling fae to construct all of the equipment and buildings needed for the Centennial Matches, but their kind only harbored Old Wood magic, which was primitive at best and varied in strength depending upon their wildling subspecies. But no wildling fae were like siltenite fae—my kind—which were entirely magical.

I gave the far-away wildlings a sympathetic look, and unconsciously, my fingers strayed to the collar encircling my throat. Like the wildlings, I was also in a position of service. I ran a fingertip along the cool metal, and a hum of magic washed along my skin before I dropped my wandering hands to my sides. “I hear the competitors are all arriving in the coming week for the Finals.” I angled my head toward Lillivel, having to look down since she barely came to my elbows.

She hummed low in her throat. “I heard the same. It would be most rewarding to watch the Finals. They’re not nearly as crowded as the actual Matches once the true competitions begin, and from what I remember of the last CentennialMatches a hundred summers ago, the strongest fae in our kingdom came to compete. How magnificent to be a spectator.”

My eyebrows shot up. “You got to watch the last Matches?”

“Oh, no, no. Nothing like that. Even though I was alive at the last one, it was in Ironcrest, and the journey was too great. I missed the traditional Ironcrest Ball as well.” When I cocked my head at her, she added, “The Ironcrest Ball is held after the Centennial Matches conclude. All fae throughout the kingdoms are invited to the grand party. It’s a huge outdoor event and lasts for three days. But I missed that in addition to the Matches. Such a pity.” Her expression turned wistful. “But attending a Match this time around would be an entertaining sight to behold. That is for certain.”

“Then you should go. This one is so close. You can’t pass up the opportunity, even if we don’t make it to the ball afterward. Surely, Guardian Alleron will be fine with it.”

Her lips curved, parting her snout. “I suppose I should, andyoushould too. There’s no reason we both can’t venture to a Match on a day off. But enough of that. We best get to work. Come, Elowen, your hair needs to be done before you leave.” Lillivel bustled to my vanity and patted the stool. “Have a seat. Guardian Alleron wants to leave within the hour since the king’s expecting you by high noon. We best stop procrastinating.”

At the mention of my upcoming calling, a stirring of mylorafin magic roiled within me, cooling my blood. But just as fast, a hum along my collar rushed over my skin, dousing the internal shadows that wanted to rise. The momentary war of power between my inner magic and wrestling collar halted my steps.

“Elowen?” Lillivel called again.

I lurched forward. “Sorry. Coming.” I went to the stool and hastily sat.

Lillivel’s face scrunched up in concentration while she worked through my long chestnut-brown hair with a barrage of pins and clips.

Sunshine streamed through the windows lining my chamber’s eastern wall and shone on the hard scales covering the backs of her hands. Her scales shimmered in color, changing from rustic beige to burnt orange and then pearly white, depending upon which angle the light hit them.

Unlike Lillivel, I hadn’t been born with scaled skin, a snout, or furry eyebrows, not as allgrundleswere. Nor did I sport horns, a tail, talons, or any other feature the wildling fae species had.

But a part of me yearned to know the realm as the wildlings did. Despite their animalistic traits, they had higher rates of fertility. Lillivel had a dozen children and just as many siblings.

But I only had my guardian. My blood family was long gone.

My heart squeezed, the feel of an arrow striking it. I’dnever learned who my blood family was or why they’d left me, and a fresh rush of hurt washed through me, just as it always did every time I thought of them.

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