Lady of Shadows (Lady of Darkness #2)

Chapter 43 Scarlett

CHAPTER 43

SCARLETT

S carlett casually sat at the large table in the formal dining room at the Fiera Palace. Eliza was next to her, her arms crossed across her chest, scowling at no one in particular. Cyrus and Rayner were standing along the wall, keeping a wary eye on Sorin. Sorin was leaning against the wall nearest her, and she could feel his struggle down the connection. She felt the primal rage when Rayner had told her good morning as they walked into the dining room. She had simply patted Sorin’s arm, kissed his cheek with a smirk, and walked to the table. His Inner Court, however, had instantly noted the change in mood, the shift in scents, and since that time, they’d all been on edge. Briar was also already there, sitting at the opposite end of the long table, an amused smile on his lips as he watched Sorin. They had already explained what had happened after he’d left the White Halls yesterday afternoon.

Scarlett and Sorin had bathed and gotten ready up at the mountain chalet. Sorin hadn’t been lying when he had told her to check the armoire in the bedroom. It was full of dresses, tunics, pants, and other clothing. She also discovered her witch-suit and witch-leathers, which she found she much preferred to the Fae-leathers. The lightness of the witch-leathers allowed her to move more easily. She had dressed while Sorin had bathed quickly, pointedly throwing up a shield of flame anytime she tried to get closer than ten feet to the tub. She had stuck her tongue out at him as she slipped into black pants and a sage green tunic with rose gold beading.

Sorin had portaled them to their quarters. Then they had silently made their way to Beatrix’s office. The Healer, who was up working in the middle of the night, looked up when they entered the room, a smile forming on her lips. Scarlett, not really remembering any of her interactions with the Healer, had been shocked that she had graying hair and the start of aging skin. She looked like a mortal woman who was in her early sixties, not an immortal Witch. She had come to Sorin and embraced him like a grandmother embracing her grandson. With her Fae hearing, Scarlett had heard Beatrix whisper to him, “I told you the Fates would find a way, Prince,” and, as Sorin pulled back, she could see tears glimmering in his eyes.

Beatrix had sanctified their union, and afterwards, as they were walking back to their chambers, she had asked Sorin, “I thought Witches were immortal like Fae?”

“They are, but even we fade in time. Compared to mortal lifespans, though, yes, we are immortal,” Sorin answered, her hand clasped tightly in his.

“But she looks…older?”

“Witches do not have a Staying like Fae do. When Fae reach a certain age, we enter a Staying, where our bodies stop aging, usually in our early twenties. Witches continue to age but very, very slowly,” he explained.

“How old is Beatrix?” she had asked, peering up at him.

Sorin shrugged his shoulders. “I have known her my entire life. She was in service to my father when I was young and looked exactly as she does now.”

Scarlett had nodded, then had suddenly realized they had not returned to the private living wing of the palace but were standing at a door on the main level. “Where are we going?”

A sly smile had spread across his face. “Consider it a marriage gift.”

“I do love gifts,” she had said with mock wistfulness, watching him draw a symbol with flames on the door.

The door had opened, and Sorin had led her down several sets of stairs. At the bottom was a stone wall. He had taken a dagger from his belt and pricked his finger, drawing the same symbol on the wall with his blood, and with a grinding groan, the stone had slid to the left revealing a large chamber that had apparently been carved deep into the side of one of the mountains. Inside, though, Scarlett had gasped when Sorin led her in and illuminated the room with flames. Jewels lined the walls from tiny to larger than eggs. Trunks of gold, silver, and other precious metals lay all over the floor. On the back wall, each in its own compartment, were various crowns, and she saw the one she had created for herself in the very center.

She had turned to Sorin with a raised brow when she saw it, and he had simply said, “For safekeeping,” with a wink. Then he had led her to a stone table. As they had approached it, she had realized it was not a table at all but a case with a glass top and inside were rings of every shape and size and varying metal. Rings with diamonds and rubies and emeralds and sapphires. She had inhaled sharply as she took them all in.

“Pick whichever one you like,” he had whispered into her ear from behind her.

“Sorin, I couldn’t possibly,” she had breathed, bringing a hand to her throat as she took in the rows and rows of gleaming rings.

“Of course you can. They are as much yours as they are mine,” he’d answered, pressing a kiss to her temple.

“They are your family riches,” she’d argued.

He had turned her gently then, bringing his brow to hers, and whispered, “ You are my family, Scarlett. You are my wife. You are my twin flame. What is mine is yours, as if it has always been yours.”

She had kissed him, tenderly at first, and then it had turned passionate, and he had taken her right there in that room of treasures and jewels, bending her over that case of rings.

She smiled at the memory as she played with the ring that now adorned her left ring finger. It was a band of gold with a large diamond flanked by two smaller rubies on each side of it. Sorin had chosen a black gold ring with three black diamonds embedded into the band.

Sorin’s eyes slid to hers as he ground out down the bond, What are you thinking about?

Oh, just a few more uses I thought up for my tongue, she purred back.

“You two,” came Eliza’s voice from beside her as she sniffed the air, “need to keep it in your pants for the next few hours. Then you can go fuck like rabbits until you can’t move.”

Cyrus huffed a laugh from behind them, but before Sorin could respond, they all felt that icy wind cross their wards. The males in the room instantly straightened, Briar rising to his feet. Eliza’s hand slid to her dagger at her waist. Scarlett merely picked up a muffin from the food spread before them and took a bite.

A few minutes later, Talwyn prowled into the dining room, Azrael Luan beside her. Talwyn was in her usual brown pants and white tunic, her weapons in all the usual places. Scarlett locked eyes with Azrael as she said sweetly, “Welcome to my home, Earth Guy. Muffin?”

Azrael sneered at her, and out of the corner of her eye, Sorin lurched from the wall. Cyrus clasped a hand on his shoulder, holding him back.

Relax, Prince.

Do not bait him right now, Scarlett. I beg of you.

“I see the twin flame bond has settled into place,” Talwyn said coolly, her eyes falling to Scarlett’s left hand. “Not yet Anointed, but married?” Surprise colored her tone as she looked to Sorin.

“A few hours ago,” he ground out.

“And why are we meeting in the dining room and not your council room?” Talwyn asked.

“Because,” Scarlett cut in, “you called a meeting as the sun rises, and I get cranky if I don’t eat, so I wanted breakfast.” In emphasis, she popped the last of the muffin into her mouth.

Talwyn studied her, as if sizing her up for the first time. “No weapons today, cousin?”

A wicked grin spread across Scarlett’s face. “I do believe my husband could rip out a throat with his bare hands if someone so much as looks at me wrong right now. I do not need a weapon.”

Talwyn’s eyes went back to Sorin. “Indeed.”

Cutting in to smooth the tension, Briar asked, “Is Princess Ashtine not joining us this morning?”

Scarlett hadn’t realized they were indeed missing one of the Courts. She assumed she was the silver-haired beauty that Scarlett had seen at the White Halls.

“She will be here momentarily. She is gathering information for me on something,” Talwyn replied shortly. She took a seat across from Scarlett, picked up a pastry, and took a bite. Every other Fae in the room went still. “I do eat, you know,” she snapped at them.

“Sit down, you male pricks,” Scarlett said, waving her hand at the various chairs around the table. “Eat something. There’s no reason we can’t talk and fill our stomachs.”

The males all glanced at each other, then took stiff walks to the table. Sorin sat to Scarlett’s right, Cyrus taking the seat next to him. Rayner moved to Eliza’s left. Azrael slid into place next to Talwyn, across from Sorin. Tense silence settled over them all. Scarlett sighed loudly, looking at Talwyn. “Do we need to go around and introduce ourselves, or do you just want to tell us why we urgently needed to meet this morning?”

A thin, unamused smile formed on Talwyn’s face as she angled her head slightly and said, “You are not one for decorum, are you?”

“They tried to instill it in me in the human lands, but no, I am not,” Scarlett answered, her tone slightly domineering.

“It has been a long night, Talwyn,” Sorin sighed from beside Scarlett, his hand coming to rest on hers. He sounded wary and tense. “Let’s get on with it.”

“Fine,” Talwyn said, her lips pursing as she clearly worked to keep her temper under control. Her jade eyes narrowed. “What part of keep this to ourselves yesterday afternoon did you lot not understand?”

Scarlett glanced to Azrael who was glaring at her and Sorin, but who was also purposefully not looking at Talwyn. She could only assume they had argued.

“It was not intentional, Talwyn,” Sorin answered, “but to be honest, he should know. So should Ashtine.”

“I do know,” came a soft feminine voice at the entrance to the dining room. That beautiful female strode into the room, full of grace and perfection. Her long, silver hair flowed behind her on phantom winds like Talwyn’s did, and her silver hawk rested on her shoulder. All the males in the room rose to their feet as she entered and didn’t return to their seats until she sat across from Briar, her sky blue eyes settling on him. She had no Second or guards with her.

“Princess Ashtine,” Briar said, his eyes on hers as well, “meet Queen Scarlett. Queen Talwyn’s cousin.”

“It is a pleasure,” Ashtine said. Her voice was warm and mystical all at once. “You have caused quite the stir among the winds.”

“Speaking of the winds, Ashtine,” Talwyn cut in. Scarlett nearly started at her tone. It was not the cool, icy tone used with Sorin or Briar, but one of respect, almost reverence. “What did you learn this morning?”

“Sorin was not mistaken, Talwyn,” Ashtine replied, her eyes going to her queen. “They are not mortals. It is as if they have found a way to glamour themselves.”

“You were in the human lands?” Scarlett asked quickly. “Where?”

Ashtine’s kind silver eyes settled on her, and Scarlett had to work not to squirm under her gaze. There was something other about the princess, and she couldn’t quite place it. “I was at the home of your previously betrothed.”

Scarlett felt her face pale. “You were at Mikale’s?”

“Sorin told us at our meeting yesterday morning that he suspected he was not mortal. I sent Princess Ashtine to see what she could discover,” Talwyn explained.

With her eyes still on Talwyn, she said to Sorin down their bond, You told them about Mikale?

Nasima told Ashtine about that day in my old apartment. Ashtine has been keeping an eye on things. They know nothing else. He squeezed her hand gently in emphasis.

“But how did they get to the mortal lands?” Cyrus asked, breaking the silence that had ensued.

“That is the question, isn’t it?” Talwyn replied thoughtfully.

“What is he if he is not mortal? Have others been found in the other lands?” Briar asked. His usual bright eyes and lighthearted manners had been replaced by an intense resolve. The look of a prince set on protecting those in his charge.

“Rayner has not seen nor heard of any,” Sorin answered, glancing to his Ash Rider.

“Nor have I,” Princess Ashtine chimed in, “but that does not mean it has not happened. There are powerful spells and charms out there. After all, I did not know about Scarlett thanks to powerful old magic. Your mother did her work thoroughly it seems.” The princess’s eyes were still on Scarlett, a look of curiosity on her face, as if Scarlett were a puzzle she could not figure out but delighted in the challenge.

Scarlett sat quietly, watching the others exchange thoughts and ideas, taking in their facial expressions and tones.

“If they have come from other lands, perhaps it would be wise to invite the leaders of the territories to a summit, Talwyn,” Sorin suggested. “They should be put on alert. Maybe there are already others among their lands. They could be preparing.”

“It has been centuries since all the leaders have convened in one place,” Azrael drawled. “You cannot honestly think they would all come?”

“If the queens summon them, they will come,” Sorin argued.

“Hazel seemed agreeable enough,” Scarlett cut in, only half listening to what they were saying around her. She was lost in her own thoughts of things she’d discovered about Mikale and Lord Tyndell. “I’m sure she would come.”

The room went silent, and every set of eyes turned to her. It took her a moment to realize it. Sorin was watching her closely, as if he knew she was not completely present.

“I do not think,” Talwyn said slowly, her words clipped, “that the High Witch’s name and agreeable have ever been used in the same sentence.”

Scarlett wasn't sure what to say. Hazel hadn’t exactly been welcoming, but she wasn’t nearly as terrible as the Witches had been made out to be. Finally she said, “If you want a meeting with the leaders of the realms, Hazel will be there. We have a…mutual need of each other at the present.”

Talwyn’s brows rose high. “Pray tell, what is that?” Her voice was calm, but Scarlett could hear the effort in it. It seemed she was not too keen that she had somehow managed to get on better terms with the High Witch in one meeting than she had in her years as queen.

Scarlett, however, was not ready to reveal what she had learned of Cassius. They didn’t even know who Cassius was. She didn’t feel right telling all of them before she told Cassius himself. Besides, she was certain her cousin had secrets of her own she was keeping from her. Despite her claims in that council room yesterday, this was, in fact, a game. It was all a game of gleaning information and revealing it at the proper time, so she answered with a shrug, “That is business between me and the High Witch, but she will come if asked.”

Talwyn glared at her, and she felt Sorin throwing her a sidelong glance.

Princess Ashtine cut in with her mystical, silvery tone. “I agree that it would be fruitful to hold a summit. However, we also need to attend to the mortal lands immediately. Every resource needs to be put to use to figure out what they are and what they want.”

“I would assume,” Azrael said, “they are there for their weapon.” As he said the last words, his eyes narrowed at Sorin, his lip curling into a snarl.

Sorin ignored him completely, instead looking at Talwyn and saying with casual arrogance, “Leash your dog, Talwyn, or did you not fill him in on everything you told us yesterday?”

Scarlett felt a whip of wind in the dining room, Talwyn’s jade green eyes flaring as she replied, “Hold your tongue, Prince of Fire.”

“Enough,” Scarlett said. She didn’t yell it, but her voice was firm enough that every single person turned to her. “I know there are scores to settle and old feuds that I know nothing of. Frankly, I don’t give a shit. I have matters to tend to in the human lands and need to return. The Crown Prince needs to return home as well. I will look into things while there. In the meantime, call the summit. I can return for it if it falls before I am able to complete my business there.”

“No,” Talwyn said. There was no room for debate, no room for discussion in her tone.

Scarlett heard Sorin suck in a breath beside her.

Scarlett… came down the bond, but she somehow threw that connection from her mind, blocking him out.

“Shit,” she heard him mutter under his breath.

“What did you say?” Scarlett asked slowly, coldly.

“I said no,” Talwyn replied, enunciating each syllable. “You have just returned. You have only started to master your gifts. Until you do so more fully, you must stay here.”

“I am not your subject,” Scarlett replied. Her voice was as sharp as the edge of a dagger, and Talwyn stilled. “In fact, as of yesterday, this entire side of the table is no longer under your jurisdiction. You do not get to give me or them orders, cousin.”

“You do not understand the gravity of all of this, Scarlett.”

“I think you will find I understand a lot more than you think I do.”

“Enlighten me then, cousin. ”

“I do not need to prove myself to you,” Scarlett hissed.

“No, but you do need to prove yourself to your people. To your Courts,” Talwyn purred.

“She needs to prove nothing to us,” Sorin snarled.

“The rest of her people do not get the pleasure of being between her legs, Prince of Fire. She certainly does need to prove herself.”

Scarlett felt the flames flicker in her eyes. Everyone else in the room had gone silent as the two queens stared at each other, letting the power struggle play out. “You do not,” Scarlett began, her voice quiet with rage, “get to invite yourself into my home, insult me, my Courts, my family, and my husband and try to give me orders.”

“This is not your home,” Talwyn spat back. “Your home is in the Black Halls.”

“ This is my home, and this is my family,” Scarlett answered, gesturing to the people along her side of the table. “I am going to the mortal lands. I have friends there who need me and other matters to tend to. I depart tomorrow. If you need me to speak to Hazel before I go, send word.” Scarlett stood to leave the room.

“Are you dismissing me?” Talwyn asked, shooting to her feet. Incredulous anger rang in her voice and colored her face. Azrael was on his feet as well, a tentative hand on Talwyn’s arm.

“I guess I am,” Scarlett replied with a shrug, and she strode for the doorway. Before she crossed the threshold, she looked over her shoulder at Talwyn simmering with rage and said sweetly, “You may see yourselves out. Princess Ashtine, it was a pleasure to meet you.”

“We are not done here,” Talwyn seethed, starting towards Scarlett.

Between one breath and another, panthers made of shadows appeared between them, growling and snapping teeth of razor sharp ice. “Oh, I think we are.”

Scarlett left the dining room. They were on the main floor of the palace, and she strode for the main gates. As she was nearing the bridges, she heard her name being shouted. Callan. They had not spoken since their argument in the gardens. That seemed like ages ago. She closed her eyes and kept walking. She couldn’t deal with him now.

She slipped from the doors, walking until she was standing on the banks of the river that ran through her home. She knew Callan had tried to follow her. Her shadow panthers had snarled warnings at him that had kept him from following further. As she stood there, she peered through that rip in the world, aching to step through onto a beach that meant so much to her. But she couldn’t. Not yet. She couldn’t go back to Baylorin alone, not even for a moment, just to breathe in that sea air.

She felt him rather than heard him come up beside her. He didn’t say a word. Just stood beside her. “I can see it,” she said. “I can see that beach as if looking through a window. I am ready to go back.”

“I know you are, Love,” Sorin said gently.

“We’ve left them there too long. We should have gone back for them weeks ago. Who knows what he’s been going through.” After a pause, she added, “I miss him, Sorin.”

Sorin was silent for a long moment. He knew who she was talking about. He gently took her hand as a fire portal appeared to his right. She saw a beach through it, and she dug in her heels as Sorin tugged her gently towards it. “We can’t go. Not quite yet. I need to plan. I need to—”

But Sorin scooped her into his arms and stepped through the portal while she was still speaking. They stood on a beach in the warm sunshine. It wasn’t her beach, but it was nearly as breathtaking, maybe even more so.

The water was a clear turquoise blue. The waves gently crashed onto the sand. Crabs scuttled to and fro, and she breathed deep, so deep, letting that ocean mist fill her lungs. The water seemed to sparkle and shimmer as Sorin lowered her to her feet, then wordlessly knelt before her and removed her boots.

She stepped into the water, hissing slightly at the cold, but then she closed her eyes and let the events of the last few days wash over her. She felt flames lick along her body and her pants and tunic were replaced with a sleeveless lightweight dress, white and flowing, a gold roped belt slung low on her hips. Wherever they were, the winters did not bring the chill and snow as it did in the mountains.

She had no idea how long she stood there, sorting through everything that was to come, as plans took shape in her mind. Time seemed to have paused for a moment while ideas formed, and she sifted through information. After a while, she heard from behind her, “Your twin flame may be a son of Anala, my queen, but your heart beats for Anahita.”

Scarlett turned to find icy blue eyes, the same color as her own, fixed on her. A knowing smile played on his beautiful face. “And where is my husband?” she asked with a raised brow, looking around. Sorin was nowhere to be seen.

Briar chuckled. “Since he is feeling a little…overprotective right now, he is up at the House of Water.”

“I hope it is all right that he brought me here,” Scarlett said, her eyes going back to the horizon where the sea stretched far and wide.

“This is your kingdom. You may come here whenever you wish,” Briar said simply, stepping to her side.

“No,” Scarlett replied with a shake of her head. “I did not come here to take over or claim any lands. This Court is yours, Prince.”

“Even then,” Briar said after a pause, “you are free to come here whenever you wish.”

“I do my best thinking by the sea,” Scarlett mused, not really to Briar, but just to say the words aloud.

“As do I,” Briar said. “It is as if the tide and surf wash everything else away so that what I need to see, what I need to do, is crystal clear before me.”

Scarlett turned to Briar as he spoke and found his eyes watching the distant horizon, too. Her heart, her soul, was Sorin’s, but even as her twin flame, he would not understand her draw to the sea, to the water. But this male beside her? He knew exactly what sandy beaches and crashing waves elicited from her. “You remind me of my dearest friend in the mortal lands,” she mused, turning back to the sea once more.

“Oh?” Briar asked. “A good thing, I hope. Other than the fact that I seem to remind you of a mortal woman.”

“My dearest friend is male, you twit,” she said, giving him a light shove. “His name is Cassius. He saved my life.” And after a long pause, she added, “And he is not mortal. He is the High Witch’s son.”

Briar was quiet for a long moment before he said, “You know, Sunshine, you certainly add some new type of excitement every time I see you.”

Scarlett huffed a laugh under her breath with a wince. “I hope Sorin feels the same when I tell him.”

“He does not know?” She could hear the surprise in his voice.

Scarlett sighed. “So much has happened since I saw the Oracle. Other things were more pressing. It just hasn’t come up again. Until now.” Briar merely nodded once. They stood in silence for several more minutes, then Scarlett said quietly, “Thank you, Briar. For not leaving me out here alone.”

“It is my pleasure.” His voice held complete sincerity, absent of its usual flirtatious tone and carefree attitude. He reached over and gently squeezed her hand.

She glanced at him from the corner of her eye. “Sorry my shadows bit at you.”

Briar barked a laugh. “Do not tell Sorin I just held your hand, and we will call it even.”

“Deal,” Scarlett said, laughing. “I suppose we should join the others. I do believe Sorin will curse me soundly when I tell him I need to go see the High Witch, and I don’t think she will be particularly fond of his presence if he joins me.”

Briar laughed again, turning with her. “I think that is a good assumption considering you seem to view the High Witch very differently than the rest of us.” With a teasing sigh and a wink, he added, “Although I do enjoy watching you two square off. I will be on your side if you prefer. Just to see Sorin squirm a bit more.”

“Pot-stirrer,” Scarlett laughed as they walked a little ways up the beach.

“Sorin needs someone to challenge him every once in a while. He is used to getting his way,” Briar smirked from beside her. A second later, a portal of water appeared before them.

Scarlett snorted. “Now you’re making him sound like Talwyn.”

“Sunshine, you have no idea. There is a reason they butt heads the way they do,” Briar muttered grimly, and they stepped through the portal.