Page 5 of The Light Falls
Stricken, I stare at my friend. Why did I not realize the crown would bring up bad memories? Nyssa’s attacks were brutal. I should know. I was there for one of the worst.
My guardian sent me to Rivan for a rune. Nyssa went into a rage. When he heard her coming down the hall, he hid me in his closet. For hours, all I could hear was her screaming, but not a sound came from Rivan. Once it was quiet, I snuck out and found him on the floor, his skin brutally shredded until there was almost nothing left. I begged him to regenerate, but he refused. Regeneration would incinerate all his runes, leaving him too vulnerable to her in the interim. Giving in, I stayed and nursed him for three days until his magic could heal him enough to take care of himself.
Now I wear the same crown on my forehead.
Deliberately keeping my voice low, I ask, “Is everything okay?”
His eyes dart to the nearby crowd, and he gives a subtle shake of his head.
“I’m not Nyssa, Rivan. I won’t ever abuse you,” I inform him, taking his hand in mine and giving it a squeeze. “You’re my friend.”
He scrutinizes my face.
I hold his gaze, letting him see my sincerity.
After several minutes, a cautious smile appears.
“Guess she’s Nyssa’s daughter after all, even likes the same toy,” an obnoxious voice jeers from behind me. “If I ask nicely, can I watch you torture him?”
Rivan steps back a foot, and my temper flares. Jerking around, I crook my finger and magically yank the owner of the voice to the front of the crowd. There’s little to distinguish him from the rest of the Fae men here. Black hair, brown eyes, and the usual handsome features, only his are twisted with rage and hatred.
Solandis moves to my side and lays a hand on my arm, silently telling me to exercise caution.
“What is your name?”
“Lord Faris. Your… Majesty,” he replies in a mocking tone.
Breathing in deeply to control my magic, I focus on the arrogant prick standing in front of me. “Rivan is a good friend of mine. Is there a reason you’re insulting him?”
“I insult him because he’s the enemy. At least that was something Nyssa understood.Friend,” he spits back at me. “He killed my brother, and his kind killed my father. He deserves far worse than mere insults, but the treaty prevents me from killing him. If the only weapon left to me are words, then I shall use them to make him bleed.” The dark-haired Fae defiantly folds his arms and sneers at me.
I blink at the idea of Rivan killing anyone, much less being called out as the enemy of the light Fae.
“Perhaps Queen Merindah is unaware of our history, particularly the Fire Fae Rebellion,” a strong, masculine voice interjects.
The crowd parts to let a tall, handsome blond couple step into the center of the circle. After they bow and curtsy, dark eyes flash to mine.
All my attention snaps to the man in front of me. Insanely gorgeous, even by Fae standards, his deep purple eyes make every womanly part of me stand up and shout hello. Tall, with broad shoulders, massive biceps, and barely tamed long, thick blond hair, he easily overshadows most of the other men here. Tingles spread throughout my body, but thankfully, the anger coursing in my veins, and the woman at his side, douses the heat of desire.
Clearing my throat, I wait for him to continue, but he doesn’t say a word. Puzzled, I dart a quick glance at Solandis, but the microscopic frown on her forehead tells me she doesn’t know him.
Several men and women sway toward to the couple in a way that makes me narrow my eyes. In the Underworld, nymphs, lust demons, and incubi are just a few of the creatures who can drive a person insane with lust. People around them often act in a similar manner. Could this couple’s Fae magic be sexual in nature? Maybe, but neither of them is looking at anyone but me.
Impatient for answers, I raise an eyebrow. “What were you saying about a Fire Rebellion?”
Surprise flits across their faces.
The woman smiles. “Forgive us, Your Majesty. We were only trying to help explain why you may not be aware of Rivan’s… status. Let us start over.” She pats the arm she’s holding, and her companion relaxes. “I’m Lady Allandra, of the Autumn Court. This is my brother, Lord Lorn.”
Her brother, that’s a relief. My eyes catch a flare of amusement in the depths of his eyes, and my mouth twitches, but I don’t dare smile right now.
“Queen Merindah,” he states, the low timbre of his voice sending a shiver of desire down my spine.
“Lady Allandra. Lord Lorn,” I repeat, acknowledging their status. Her mentioning the Autumn Court was a surprise. It is my understanding that very few of the light Fae claim allegiance with autumn or winter.
Solandis squeezes my arm, then addresses the crowd. “Yesterday, you were ready to call the Wild Hunt to prevent her from taking the throne. Now that everything is settled, let’s giveQueenMerindah time to learn everything she needs to know.” With the reminder of my new position of power, the crowd quickly disperses.
Lady Allandra smiles sheepishly at us both and disappears into the crowd, tugging Lord Lorn with her.
