Cursed by the Phantom Prince (Once Upon A Curse)

Chapter 6

6

RHAN

M y eyes widened at the queen’s revelation while every other part of me rebelled. The Moon Court king wanted me to marry his son? The idea was absurd. The Moon Court was our enemy and had been for centuries. Actually, it was more accurate to say that the Moon Court was the enemy of the Sun Court, but since we were their allies, by extension, we were also the Moon Court’s enemy.

Something must have changed. That was the only explanation for why the Moon Court was suddenly interested in a union with us. Besides the fact that we were enemies, what happened to force the Moon Court back into society? That question sent a sour feeling to my stomach and I knew, without a doubt, that the Moon Court had ulterior motives.

“Why?” The question slipped out before I could stop it.

“Why you, you mean?” the queen asked. I nodded, still reeling from the unexpected news. “Larek, I believe, would have the answer to that question.”

I adjusted myself in the chair so that I was facing the Fae from the Court of Stars, my mind spinning with possible answers.

“You, Princess, are the only female heir to a court throne,” Larek surmised, but there had to be more to it than that.

“The courts have always married inside of their own.”

“That’s correct,” Larek answered, a smile on his beautiful face that irritated me. Was this a joke to him? “Circumstances with the Moon Court have changed, forcing them to seek help from the rest of the realm. I was sent to help the king find a solution and put it into action.”

“What circumstances?” I looked from Larek to the Queen and back.

“Their resources have been depleted over the last several years. They’re situation isn’t dire but it’s only a matter of time.”

“The Moon King is looking for an alliance for the betterment of his court?” I asked, wondering if the rumors of his selfishness were just that, rumors.

“Yes. He’s seen that the realm is evolving in terms of ruling and wants to change as well,” Larek answered, but judging by his body language, he wasn’t telling the whole story.

I opened my mouth to ask him what he wasn’t saying but before I could, the queen spoke. “I believe that this is a step in the right direction. The Moon Court can no longer afford to be in isolation. If we don’t all come together with a common goal dissension will reign, making diplomacy impossible.”

I thought about what she said but also wondered about what she didn’t say. The Sun and Moon Courts had always been in disagreements with the other. Was this really a political move to gain alliances or were there other motives?

From a human perspective, I hadn’t been directly involved in any of the conflicts between courts. I had relatives in the Sun Court and had been adopted by the Court of Dawn and proclaimed its heir. My education had taught me all about the history of this realm and the rivalry turned hostile between the two biggest courts and the two smaller ones that chose sides.

It was looking like the best way forward was to accept the Moon Court’s proposal and use my influence to nurture an alliance. Something still felt off but without further information there wasn’t anything I could do besides go along with it and do some digging myself.

“Whatever my queen decides I will comply.” I bowed my head, giving her the illusion of trust and deference. She may have evolved to a different way of thinking, but she was still Fae and I refused to let my guard down. In the grand scheme of things this was all just a game. Deception and misdirection were normal to the Fae.

“Excellent, my dear,” the queen praised but I felt it was a bit forced. She’d probably expected more of a fight from me but I was learning to pick my battles. “This brings us to Lir.”

“Indeed,” Larek agreed, turning his attention back to me. “As a gesture of good faith the Moon Court Prince has sent one of his personal guards to protect you, Rhan.”

“Why do I need protection?” It seemed odd since the proposal hadn’t been agreed upon yet, so what did I need protection from?

“Since the bargaining for your hand has begun, extra protection is a right of the proposing party. Lir is here to ensure your safety until conditions have been met, then he will remain by your side until you are officially wed.”

My eyes drifted to the black clad warrior. He still sat in the seat next to Fionn, looking extra menacing with his dark eyes cast in shadow. He was here to protect the investment that the Moon Court king had gambled on.

All this made me wonder what the prince thought of all this? Was he aware that his father was organizing his marriage?

“Would it be possible to send a letter to the prince? We’ve never met but that doesn’t mean we can’t become acquainted with each other, right?” I asked Larek, noticing that Lir shifted in his seat like he was uncomfortable.

“A splendid idea!” the queen praised, nodding her approval.

“I don’t see any harm in it,” Larek answered, smiling a bit wider than was necessary.

‘What are your thoughts on the matter?’ I asked the canine currently resting by my feet.

‘I agree that there has to be more going on. From what we’ve both learned the Moon Court king doesn’t seem like a Fae that would care for his subjects.’

‘The timing and suddenness is concerning,’ I agreed, wondering what the Moon Court could possibly want from me.

‘We’ll get to the bottom of it,’ Lady replied with complete confidence. ‘I am suspicious of the Black Guard however.’

‘Oh?’

Besides our moment out on the balcony I hadn’t given Lir much thought, but hearing that Lady was suspicious of him brought back all of my own thoughts that I’d pushed aside.

‘He’s clearly here to spy on us.

Now that she mentioned it, it would be the perfect way to gain knowledge about the inner workings of our court. The Moon King was cunning. Mistaking Lir for anything more than a bodyguard was a mistake on my part.

‘I see what you mean,’ I said, leaning down to scratch behind her ears.

“Please excuse me,” I began, pushing my chair back and gathering my skirts in order to stand. “Lady and I are going to get some fresh air.”

“Alright, dear,” the Queen said, giving me a warm smile that promised that we would be speaking later.

I stood and turned, heading back out onto the balcony, walking to the furthest corner away from the open doorway. The night air was chilly but it felt nice after sitting in a chair for so long. I leaned on the balcony railing, gazing up at the star filled sky.

My mind was reeling so I didn’t immediately notice that someone had followed me out onto the balcony.

“Are you cold, Princess?” A male voice asked, startling me out of my thoughts. Lir stood a couple feet behind me, his eyes flitting to the shadowed areas like he suspected an attack at any moment.

“I’ll be fine for a few minutes,” I replied, trying not to show how much his presence affected me.

“Very well.” His voice was pitched lower than any Fae male I’d ever encountered, which was unnerving. There was something about this guard that made me question everything that I’d come to know about the Fae. Clearly there was more than what I’d been taught.

“Is it cold where you are from?” I’d heard that the land of the Moon Court was shrouded in darkness with only a couple of hours of sunlight a day.

“Yes,” he said simply, and I bit my tongue in order to stop myself from asking anymore questions.

“The Court of Dawn must be completely new to you.” I tried again to strike up a conversation.

“I’ve been here before,” was his quick reply.

“Oh, I assumed you hadn’t. My apologies.” I didn’t know what it was but I felt constantly unbalanced near him. Like his presence alone was pushing into my personal space. It was unnerving.

‘I can feel it too,’ Lady acknowledged, turning her gaze to glare at the black clad Fae. ‘He’s a predator. Of that I am certain.’

Lady’s assessment explained why I felt unbalanced around him. He was a predator hidden in shadows that you could feel more than see. His persona had unsteadied me, but Lady’s words caused me to stiffen and straighten my spine. He may be a predator but I was certainly not prey. I wouldn’t allow him to intimidate me.

With one last look up at the dark sky with its blanket of stars, I gathered my skirts, intent to return back inside. I planned to announce that I was tired and wanted to return to my room. The news of my possible engagement would tire anyone which I was counting on. I’d just have to meet with the queen later.

Lady woofed, then trotted across the balcony, eager to pester the servants for a treat. I followed, not realizing until it was too late that I hadn’t gathered up all of my skirts. I stepped onto the fabric; the quality of the material made it ridiculously thin and slippery. My foot slid out from under me and I stumbled forward.

Big hands grabbed my biceps from behind, preventing me from falling onto my face. As soon as his skin touched mine, my mind was bombarded with flashes of visions, sounds, and feelings that were not my own.

A full moon lit a barren landscape below, while skeletal trees stretched for as far as the eye could see.

A crow sat on the branch of a towering tree with glowing white leaves, a castle made of black stone behind it. The crow’s head tilted, revealing eyes that gleamed red.

A figure appeared upon the ground that shone blindingly white against the darkness of the sky above. My heart pounded in my chest as the figure crouched and touched the glowing ground. Black veins spread from the hand of the figure, moving swiftly. An eerie chuckle filled the air as the venations grew closer.

“You are a pathetic excuse for a son!” A male voice screamed right before a searing pain lashed across my back, making my vision go dark.

“Don’t forget about them. Promise me.” a female voice spoke imploringly and I knew deep down that I’d do whatever she asked of me.

“The sickness has spread. There is nothing more we can do for her.” A scream ripped from my throat as I turned to see a sickly woman covered in dark veins, lying in a bed surrounded by white linens. Her eyes blinked once before they were completely engulfed in darkness.

I slammed my fist on a table, upsetting a small pot, watching as the black ink spread across the pages of a map looking like the veins the creature had infected the land with. “It’s the only way, Father. I have to try.”

Those final words echoed through my mind as I drifted away.